Fluorouracil topical and Itching: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Used on nose, cheeks, and chin every night for 18 nights when scabbing became apparent, so stopped using. From today, June 3, I can use Canestan steroid cream on the affected areas. Also using oatmeal cream, which is very mild. Areas are very red and unsightly with scabbing and some tightness. Redness and tightness have moved towards my eyes, and this is quite uncomfortable. Persevering. Can’t comment on the outcome as the process is still ongoing."

• wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2024

For Actinic Keratosis "Realize that this cream will cause eruption of your skin, yellow oozing pus areas (particularly if you ever knock off the blobs), extreme itching, and nerve endings causing electrical feelings. Definitely do NOT let the ooze drip into your eye if you are doing your brow ridge. I would suggest that you do small areas for 28 days, then move on rather than try to do a giant area of your face. Do not stop before the 28 days (you will definitely want to stop before 28 days, don't). Afterwards, it will take another 2 to 3 weeks to heal completely."

• 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."

• DCI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "Used nightly for 4 weeks as instructed by a dermatologist. Live in Scotland, so advised to only use on specific areas of actinic keratosis. Several areas on the forehead, under my eyes, and the entire nose where the sun would hit my face under my glasses/sunglasses, and a couple of spots on my right cheek which had shown signs of bleeding. Used a Q-tip to apply. 1st week itchy and burning. 2nd week redness and a more burning sensation, so I applied Tropic Skincare Tamanu balm during the day to keep skin moist, which helped hugely. 3rd week, skin redness spread to a wider area than I thought it was going to, and skin felt very tight. 4th week, I was glad I wore glasses as it hid a lot of the redness and crusting which started this week. I’m now two weeks post-treatment, and having used the Tamanu balm and castor oil on my face day and night, it is almost healed with only very slight redness remaining. Most areas appear smoother, though I may have to repeat on my nose. Would use again. Very pleased with results."

• Anonymous
• May 3, 2012

For Keratosis "I'm on day 18. Third day after stopping the cream. The first 14 days weren't so painful, mainly uncomfortable. Today there is more tightness, dryness, itchiness, and burning, but still tolerable."