Fluorouracil topical and Itching: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Has...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "Instructed by my dermo to apply cream mornings each day for 4 weeks - wash face at night with a gentle cleanser. Today is day #19, so I am well into my 3rd week. Results are dramatic. I do look like a zombie from Michael Jackson's Thriller video, but apparently that is a good thing - it's working. Lots of red splotches including my neck, which I included besides my face. First signs of scabbing, which is the next phase. Can't wait. I just hope that things clear up quickly after day #28. Not much fun, especially in public, but most likely worth the aggravation."

• mar...
• May 1, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I grew up in Canberra, Australia. Sunburn every year, never wore a hat, didn't know about sunburn cream. I started using Efudex when I was 38. I'm on my fourth facial using it. I can last 16 days at the most. I would be so painful if I used it for 28 days. I know it's time to stop when it is so itchy that I don't get a single minute of sleep at night. I have to stay at home for 3 or 4 weeks - I scare too many people otherwise. Before bed, I have to take mild sleeping tablets (Restavit) and ibuprofen. I used to use Lucas Pawpaw ointment at night, but it's too thick and itchy. I use Dermeze treatment ointment. Lucas' is good for recovery. I have to wash the Efudex off before I go to sleep - otherwise, I can feel its horrible burning all night. If I accidentally touch the treated spot and then rub my eyes, they get swollen for days. I hate the treatment (0/10) - torturers could use it. But I love the results (10/10). My skin feels so good for 4 years."

• Spo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2018

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I was misdiagnosed by a dermatologist as having A.K. when actually I had eczema. Efudex turned my arm into a raw, ulcerated, painful, itchy, oozing mess. Unable to sleep. Application was for two weeks only, then discontinued. After recovering from the treatment, the eczema was still there. I changed doctors. One application of a medium-strength corticosteroid, itching gone, healing started. Please get multiple opinions about the disease you have and the treatment options before being told to use Efudex."

• deb...
• December 24, 2015

For Actinic Keratosis "I have been applying cream to my face for actinic keratosis for 3 weeks, and my face looks horrible, like I have been burned bad. I have 1 week to go and hope I make it. It makes your skin burn and itch so bad, but that is better than someday having to have surgery to remove skin. I found that if you apply Vaseline to lips and eyelids before you wash your face, it helps not getting it on them. You do not want to get it on your lips, it burns them really bad. I hope I make it through this."

• Itc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I'm 69 and using Efudex for the second time. Just as in 2008, I have been recommended for 21 days of Efudex cream, 2 applications per day, followed by 21 days of twice a day applications of Desonide 0.05%. I am applying the cream broadly on my forehead back to my receded hairline, my sideburn area, and my nose. After the first week, most areas turned blotchy red and grew increasingly sore and itchy. I have experienced mild stomach upset, and my face feels hot. It started to affect my ability to sleep around day 16. Almost packed it in on day 19 but read these posts and decided to persevere for 3 more days. It worked very well back in 2008, and I'm looking forward to the ordeal ending and getting similarly good results."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Dermatologist prescribed Efudex for keratosis, 1 week on and 3 weeks off x 4 to treat my face, but said not to apply on chin. After a few days, freckles appeared, and by day 7 today, my skin feels quite irritated, itchy, and a slight sting - especially the sides of my nose. One spot above my eyebrow has bled slightly last night and tonight after washing my face. My dermatologist said I could continue to wear foundation but to wait 15 mins after applying cream."

• JBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2018

For Keratosis "This is my second application in 5 years. The first time was tough with the redness, itchiness, peeling. It was worth it to see how much potential cancer spots came to the surface and eventually flaked away. Really, what is 30 days or so of some suffering to potentially save your life? It can be costly, but I got the generic cream."

• Sni...
• October 22, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "My GP saw some actinic keratosis on my head and said I should mention this at my appointment with a dermatologist. I am using fluorouracil 5%. The regime was 4 weeks once a day, followed by 3 weeks of healing, followed by 4 weeks. The 2nd treatment is to reveal and fix any actinic keratosis missed in the first. I have nearly finished the all treatment on my head - I am bald. I am 78 years old. The treatment on the head was itchy and, at the end, painful - the 2nd treatment did not show any remaining AKs. I could see that some of the 'rash' raised by the drug extended to my face, so I started a treatment there. This was more painful - particularly around the mouth and cheeks as these move if you smile or speak. I am in the healing phase now and will start a second treatment in 2 weeks. COVID has meant that my scary face has not scared the neighborhood! This was free on the NHS (National Health Service UK) - they are great."

• Lyn...
• October 24, 2019

For Keratosis "I started on this cream and used it 8 days on my chest. Then I started breaking out in a rash and itching terribly all over my body. My eye got irritated and swelled up. I stopped using it on the 8th day, I was supposed to use it for two weeks. It's 8 weeks now since I used it, and I'm still itching and have new breakouts daily. My doctor called in a steroid cream, and the side effects of it were rash and itching, so I don't know if this new rash is from that medicine or the fluorouracil cream... I hope someone reads these reviews before using this.."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "My dermatologist said to apply on the face twice daily for 10-12 days. Well, my skin is super sensitive. After 2 days, I was red, itching, and in pain, so I stopped at the end of day 5. I’m at day 9 and look like I have severe sunburn with scaling, peeling, oozing, and burning. I am hopeful I’m about to turn a corner toward clearing up. Argh! It worked great on my legs after 2 weeks of treatment. My facial skin, another story."

• MBF...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I have extensive AK on my face and chest and have had 5 basal cell and 1 pre-melanoma lesions removed via surgery. Because of the extensive AK and my history, my derm tried blue light (Levulan). I only made it 8 minutes and had 2nd degree burns. Due to my reaction, my Mohs surgeon recommended Carac in a modified application as I am in sales. I use the cream 7 days, then am off 3-4 weeks. I plan by time of year and my schedule as you can't be in the sun. The Carac cream has been AMAZING! I put it on before bed. I documented my reaction and have found that about day 6 I can see red trouble spots, day 7/8 itching, day 10 scabbing. Overall, my AK has diminished by 80% after 4 cycles since last spring. I took summer/fall off."

• MBF...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I have extensive AK on my face and chest and have had 5 basal cell and 1 pre-melanoma lesions removed via surgery. Because of the extensive AK and my history, my derm tried blue light (Levulan). I only made it 8 minutes and had 2nd degree burns. Due to my reaction, my Mohs surgeon recommended Carac in a modified application as I am in sales. I use the cream 7 days, then am off 3-4 weeks. I plan by time of year and my schedule as you can't be in the sun. The Carac cream has been AMAZING! I put it on before bed. I documented my reaction and have found that about day 6 I can see red trouble spots, day 7/8 itching, day 10 scabbing. Overall, my AK has diminished by 80% after 4 cycles since last spring. I took summer/fall off."

• AJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "TIP: I highly recommend using Neosporin and Cetaphil moisturizer during recovery days, it helped a lot with healing and irritation. I have 5-6 pre-cancerous lesions on my face. My doctor recommended this cream. She prescribed using it on my forehead to start. Twice a week at night for 8 weeks. This allows the skin to recover in between. I have found it to be irritating to my whole forehead, dries out your skin, which becomes itchy, red, and scaly, and a little swollen. The morning after application is the worst, with it becoming very irritated. It is a little uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I am in week 3, and now the skin around my eyes is swollen and so it's not pretty, but by day 2, your skin is recovering but still scaly and red. I can use makeup to cover if I need to go out. I'll keep you posted on my progress."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2018

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "Just got done using this for a superficial basal cell on my nose. Week 1 wasn't bad, just a little redness and irritation at the end. By the end of week 2, it was red and very itchy. I can't say it was ever very 'painful,' just uncomfortable and irritated. It has felt like something crawling across my face/nose since the end of week 2, and itchy. Lots of trouble getting to sleep because of this. 2 weeks once a day, 3 weeks twice a day. It's still red and very itchy, and I'm told it will be for another week or two. Now I wait for follow-up."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I am on day 15 of using Tolak and I plan on writing another update after 4 weeks of use and after 2 weeks of healing as that is not included by anyone here and it would be nice to know the aftermath. I have a red ring around my mouth/nose area, almost as if I kept a red solo cup suctioned to my face. I have other random spots and have been doing my chest as well. Some spots are red and swollen, others have scabs, and the areas around my nostrils seem to be the worst, crusting and pussy. Last night was the worst, itching and so tough not to rub off the layers of scabbing around my mouth. Today I have felt burning all day around my nose and I wear reading glasses all day for work and all night for homework. Needless to say, wearing glasses feels like I am rubbing my nose even more raw and when I finally take them off it feels so much better! That said, I am committed to doing this for the full four weeks, but given the pain I am in now, I will keep you posted."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2025

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I had a scaly feeling on my forehead. The doctor has me on this cream, and into week 4, I have these terrible-looking red spots on my head. Sometimes at night, it feels like a bug crawling across my head, and it itches and kind of burns. Not sure if I should still be applying this to my head or let it go..."

• Dub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2015

For Skin Cancer "I am on week 8 using 5% fluorouracil once a day for 6 weeks, M-F. Thank goodness I had weekends off, or I might not have stuck with it -- weeks 5 and 6 were exceptionally painful. My chest is still red and flaky, and there is still pain/itching (reminds me of shingles, just not as intense). And I'm able to sleep through the night again without waking due to pain when shifting in my sleep. I'm glad I stumbled on this site. I'm stopping on the way home for vinegar and moisturizer since several of you seem to have found relief."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2018

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I've been using fluorouracil for 10 days. After the 1st application to my entire face, I started to see red spots, and lots of them! I'm using the 4% cream. There is very mild itching. My doctor said to use 1x per week for 4 weeks at night, and it's okay to apply moisturizer topped with zinc oxide sunscreen in the morning after washing my face. I don't expect to have problems with this med. I'm a redhead with fair skin."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "This is my 2nd time using Tolak. The first time was 3 years ago or so, and my ears lit up like firecrackers and scabbed and peeled, red spots/splotches on other areas. This time after day 4, I started seeing a reaction. I am now on day 11 (3 to go), and my cheeks and around my nose are RED, scaly, hot, and itchy. I have red spots around my chin, my scalp, and at my temples like measles. The itching is worse this time than last, not sure if it is based upon the area being larger this time (vs. the ears last time). I do wonder why my cheeks did not light up last time I used it, like this time. I am one that uses sunscreen with zinc oxide so no further damage on cheeks should have been done since last usage. The burning/itching usually starts about an hour after applying the Tolak cream. I then put on a petroleum jelly that was prescribed for it. It keeps the itching/burning down so I can sleep at night. I cover my pillow with a hand towel to keep the scabs/petroleum/leakage off of my pillows."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "This is my 2nd time using Tolak. The first time was 3 years ago or so, and my ears lit up like firecrackers and scabbed and peeled, red spots/splotches on other areas. This time after day 4, I started seeing a reaction. I am now on day 11 (3 to go), and my cheeks and around my nose are RED, scaly, hot, and itchy. I have red spots around my chin, my scalp, and at my temples like measles. The itching is worse this time than last, not sure if it is based upon the area being larger this time (vs. the ears last time). I do wonder why my cheeks did not light up last time I used it, like this time. I am one that uses sunscreen with zinc oxide so no further damage on cheeks should have been done since last usage. The burning/itching usually starts about an hour after applying the Tolak cream. I then put on a petroleum jelly that was prescribed for it. It keeps the itching/burning down so I can sleep at night. I cover my pillow with a hand towel to keep the scabs/petroleum/leakage off of my pillows."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I’m a 73-year-old throat cancer survivor who never wore a hat or sunscreen but loved the beach and golf. I’m paying for that now after just finishing three weeks of Efudex to whole face. It was tough getting through radiation/chemo with tonsil cancer, and this is short of that discomfort but nevertheless challenging with the itching, burning, and soreness. Hiding under a hat and mask means I can go out without scaring the children. The biggest problem has been finding relief as the flaking and scabbing picks up speed in the week after treatment. I tried all of the recommended solutions I found on the net, but none really helped me enough to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. In desperation, I went to an Amcal chemist and asked for some Famigel, which I know works with burning from cancer treatments. He didn’t have any, but the pharmacist recommended a cooling, soothing, hydrating gel called Solosite. It worked, and I am so, so happy now."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I’m a 73-year-old throat cancer survivor who never wore a hat or sunscreen but loved the beach and golf. I’m paying for that now after just finishing three weeks of Efudex to whole face. It was tough getting through radiation/chemo with tonsil cancer, and this is short of that discomfort but nevertheless challenging with the itching, burning, and soreness. Hiding under a hat and mask means I can go out without scaring the children. The biggest problem has been finding relief as the flaking and scabbing picks up speed in the week after treatment. I tried all of the recommended solutions I found on the net, but none really helped me enough to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. In desperation, I went to an Amcal chemist and asked for some Famigel, which I know works with burning from cancer treatments. He didn’t have any, but the pharmacist recommended a cooling, soothing, hydrating gel called Solosite. It worked, and I am so, so happy now."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "Was prescribed Efudix by the NHS to treat incorrectly diagnosed psoriasis (they thought it was Actinic Keratosis because I have AC on my arms/hands from growing up in a hot country) on my ankle. Used the cream for roughly 6 weeks in 2018 and stopped using the cream after the 6 weeks. Developed a case of discoid eczema which originated from the psoriasis spot and I've had it now for a year. Have to apply Epimax cream twice a day to contain the eczema, which is incredibly/unbearably itchy and causes red welts to appear on my legs below and on the knees. If you have a choice, I would not use Efudix."

• Spo...
• April 20, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "I was never told the clinical name of my condition. Only told 'precancerous.' On my face. I wanted to post because I see so many scary stories here, and so far my story is not scary at all. Just completed the prescribed 2 weeks of fluorouracil treatment. The first dermatologist I saw was a bit vague about where to put it. 'Cheeks and sides of nose.' She said unneeded areas would not be affected. When I called back to check, another dermatologist said, 'No, just on the visible spots.' But I'm kind of glad I first put it all over because it revealed a lot of spots I was totally unaware of. No pain, only some slight tingling and itchiness. Totally manageable! Some areas have developed minor scabbing, others just peeling a bit. I'm kind of wondering if I've done enough? Will check in with the doc to see."

• Jad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2015

For Actinic Keratosis "I'm into week three of six of Effudex all over my chest after living in the tropics for 45 years. I have been told to use it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening before bed. By Saturday, it is so painful and itchy, but quietens down Sunday and Monday until I have to start again. I can't imagine what it must be like using it twice a day for six weeks. I'm using Aloe Vera in the mornings, which calms the itching. Now I am getting scabs and dry skin and having a hard time keeping my fingers away from picking at it. Last time I used it daily on a patch on my face and was left with a red patch for nearly two years. I'm wondering whether some of you are suffering unnecessarily from Effudex being overprescribed. I live in the UK and don't have to pay much."