Fluorouracil topical and Redness: What Users Say

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Put it on the obvious parts of my face that I thought needed to be treated, found that the Efudex somehow seeped to cover much more of my face, had lots of redness followed by crusty scabbing, had to stop treatment after just short of 3 weeks as my eyes were in agony with stinging gritty feeling, even though I didn't put any anywhere near my eyes - wonder if it gets into sinus system and makes its way there."

• Ced...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "57-year-old male, brought up in South Africa, lived in Australia, and 30+ years in the military with sunny deployments. Previously suffered two SCCs and Bowen's disease. I'm on day 25 of Efudex treatment, stopped applying the cream after 21 days. My face is very red and itchy, it's amazing how the cream identifies areas of damage. It's been tough at times, sleepless nights with burning/itching. Strangely, when I stopped applying the cream I suffered from stomach acid, unsure if it's related. The biggest challenge is to persevere to the end. I use Aquaphor from Amazon to soothe the itching. Good luck to everyone!"

• nwf...
• January 18, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "After years of sun damage, my whole face lit up like a Christmas tree full of red lights within 1 week of twice daily application. Shaving: No problem. Use a sharp razor and light pressure with a mild gel cream. Washing: Try Simple Water Boost Micellar facial gel wash. Great stuff. Cleans your face and does not leave it dry or oily. Does not irritate the burning skin. Still use it every day to clean my face. Lubrication: Try Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel. Not cheap, but you don't need much. Worked great, no greasy feeling. Used a chilled aloe mask at night during last week. Timeline: Should be able to finish in 3 weeks of twice daily. Still pretty bad for a week after treatment with first 2 layers of skin dried up and peeled away. Had another 2 weeks of peelings. After that, skin was super smooth but still red in some areas. Took another month for most of that to fade away. Definitely recommend using Efudex. It's obviously not fun, but produces great results."

• Car...
• May 2, 2016

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "This is my third time over the past 10 years doing this treatment. I'm scheduled for 4-6 weeks treating my legs, stomach, and chest areas. I like that the medication seeks out and treats damaged skin only. My stomach has only 3 small spots. However, my legs and chest area that have been far more exposed to sun have a much more aggressive reaction. The pain, redness, swelling, and sores are extremely painful, however, my history reminds me that in 3-4 weeks, I will be finished, and my skin will look and be much better. Skin cancer gone and baby-smooth new skin. It's affordable and a more complete overall treatment that definitely works. Stick with the plan, you won't be disappointed!"

• day...
• December 29, 2009

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I am on day 14 of using Carac. My face is extremely red, tight, itchy, and a little sore, but I've had serious eczema in the past and this isn't nearly as bad as that was. It took about a week to show up on my forehead, but then a couple more days they started intensifying on my cheeks, chin, and sides of my face. It is a little unsightly, but once I explained to people what was going on and that it wasn't permanent or contagious, they seemed to relax. I tried Vaseline for moisturizing, but that seems too greasy. Products with zinc oxide in them seem to give me relief and protect me from the sun as well. Please do not spend ANY time in the sun when using this. The doctor told me it could permanently make your skin darker in those areas!"

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2010

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I just finished a 14-day usage of Carac, as prescribed by my skin doctor. After the first two days, my skin started to turn red, by the 7th it started to flake, and the areas that I needed to apply it to (cheeks, temples, and forehead) turned dark red, like a bad sunburn. Days 8-14 were the worst as to pain on these areas when showering in lukewarm water or washing from the sink bowl, either way I could feel a burning sensation, as well as light bleeding at some areas on the next-to-last day. Flaking of the skin and an itchy feeling now that treatment is done. I wonder how long before my skin color returns to normal. Would I do this again? Yes."

• ETa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "Used Efudex on my whole face 10 years ago. I think it was for 4 weeks. Week 2 the redness turned into lesions on my whole face, especially my left side (driver's side). Hurt like hell. I play poker sometimes at a casino. I didn't have to look at me so my appearance wasn't my problem. After the lesions healed, my face was as smooth as a baby's butt. A couple of the players were surprised I was still alive because I looked like I had full-blown AIDS. I recommend it as I had no idea my face was such a mess. It is an ordeal. Using it on my ear now, started 6 weeks ago and in the last few days. Fingers crossed. Not pleasant but hopefully I can avoid surgery and plastic surgery."

• fly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "My dermatologist prescribed a 14-day treatment of Fluorouracil Topical Cream 5%, applied 2 times daily, to treat actinic keratosis on my face, forehead, and temple areas and the beginning of a lesion on my face. During the first few days, there wasn't much different feeling to the skin, but on day 5, the skin started turning red. On day 6, the burning feeling commenced. On day 8, the flaking and peeling started, and it even burned to wash my face, but what I finally found out worked well. After applying the medication, I washed it off after 2 hours as my dermatologist said that's OK because the medication works during the first 2 hours of application. I then applied to the areas a broad spectrum SPF 50 liquid sunscreen, letting it dry, and then a moisturizer, Vanicream Lite Lotion. After stopping treatment, it took about 7 to 10 days for the redness, burning feeling, flaking, and peeling to stop. Now, there are no indications of any actinic keratosis, and the affected areas are all clear."

• MHe...
• November 7, 2009

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "I have used Carac for 4 weeks. After the 1st week, I began seeing flakiness, redness, burning, and itching. Taking a warm shower was painful, being in a car with the heat on was painful. But I've gotten through it. Layers and layers of skin have peeled off. Underneath, my skin is as soft as a baby's bottom and clear. Compared to having these lesions continually burned off, this short-term uncomfortable condition was a better method."

• Iso...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I am 70, with chestnut hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. My doctor diagnosed actinic keratosis on a small lesion on my face. He recommended Efudix twice a day for 3 weeks. I used a cotton bud to apply the cream as it seemed easier to apply it thinly that way than with my finger. During the first two weeks, the lesion started to become red and enlarged slightly. Towards the end of the second and throughout the third week, yellowy crusts started to form and the lesion felt tender and raw. If I went out in the sun, I put a small plaster over it for protection. After the treatment, a scab formed over the whole area that took two weeks to fall off. Then new skin appeared, and I have been applying Calendula to aid the recovery. I am left with a pink streak, which hopefully will fade with time. Until then, I will use 'hide the blemish' make-up, which I would think a man could also use, if need be. Overall, very pleased with the result."

• isl...
• August 4, 2015

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "62-year-old blonde with blue eyes and fair skin. Spent 50 years in CA and HI getting sunburned. Now... paying the price. I have used Efudex and Carac cream treatments, both burn like crazy, peeling several layers, and red, red, red. I did my whole face at one time but had to stop after 18 days applying once a day. Had blisters and bleeding, crying quite a bit. It took two months after stopping the treatment for the pinkness to disappear. Using SPF 50 every day now under my makeup. Get lots of compliments on how young my skin looks."

• Rud...
• December 20, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I was prescribed this cream to treat BCC on my nose. I had a red spot with suspected basal cell carcinoma. My dermatologist wanted me to treat my entire nose to get any spots that hadn't emerged yet. I put it on twice daily for two weeks. It took about a week for anything to happen, but then the spot turned red. Soon my entire nose turned pink. At day 14, my nose was red, with purple areas, blisters, and depressions. I had to put Vaseline on it to tolerate the pain. It felt like someone had burned my face with a hot iron. The skin was pulled taut, and I was afraid of scarring. It has been 8 weeks since the application stopped. It is still a little pink. Unfortunately, it did not get my spot, it is not superficial enough. The cream's redness lasts longer for me than I anticipated. It was an 8-week process for me, and I still have a pink nose. Hope it isn't permanent."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2015

For Keratosis "In week 3 of Efudex treatment and my skin is still raw and peeling, though less than at day 14. I applied it twice daily for two weeks; I personally could not have gone one more day past day 14. The first week was not too bad without much noticeable effect. Week 2 was a different story. My skin, especially on my lower forehead, nose, and cheek area adjacent to my nose, became extremely red and raw, like a severe sunburn. Also behind my ears and in the folds of my neck. I found it difficult both physically and mentally to apply more cream to those areas because of the pain. My doctor says everything looks excellent. Applying a prescribed cortisone cream now, but fading is very slow. Best I can offer is hang in there."

• Zak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I have applied it for three weeks, once a day. I increased it to twice this last week. My face is quite red and sore, and I am amazed at how many spots have come out. I will continue for a few more days. This site has encouraged me. I wasn't sure whether to keep going."

• So...
• January 1, 2015

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "This is the 2nd time using this cream...more for a pre-cancerous treatment. I used it only on my nose 8 years ago. I am 10 days in on using Carac cream for my whole face. I thought there would be only a few areas but I have a lot of sun damage all over my face. Nothing on my nose (already treated), forehead less because I had bangs most of my life. During the day I use powder foundation to cover most of the dark red blotches so I can look normal. At night I take NyQuil to sleep. So far I can tolerate it all."

• TJ ...
• September 5, 2015

For Keratosis "This was well worth doing. I initially did my face, and a year later, I am back doing my scalp to finish the process - should have done it all at once. It completely removed all brown spots and left my skin looking 15 years younger. It took three weeks before my skin started 'smoldering,' but it wasn't more painful than a sunburn. Looked very red, and I worked from home for about a week. This worked beyond my dermatologist's and my best-case scenario. Awesome!"

• tex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2013

For Keratosis "I am on day 6 of a 21-day prescription, and am finally seeing and feeling the redness, tight skin, and itching all over my face. I am very worried about what I will look like at the end of August when school starts (first day of school will be 8 days after treatment stops); I am a teacher and don't want to scare off my new students. I am thankful for the relief suggestions posted here, and I am also thankful that I did not procrastinate and I am getting this taken care of. I have seen many people with parts of their faces - ears, noses - removed due to cancers, so I think of the 'after' to get me emotionally strong enough to bear these next few weeks. Thanks for sharing your experiences."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2023

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "My first 3 days, there was little evidence of use. I've now applied for 12 straight days, and I'm very red and blotchy, with some signs of flakiness. I've been living with a burning sensation on my face, but it was so bad last night I couldn't sleep. I'm struggling to make 14 nights, but hope my dermatologist says I don't have to keep applying... I don't think I can keep going!"

• TR1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "Used for 4 weeks to treat what the physician thought might be an AK (actinic keratosis) - a very tiny dry, scaly spot above my upper lip. Efudex was easy to use, not painful, just a gnarly scab that took weeks to fall off. Once gone, the skin was smooth but red. The red spot was 3X larger than the AK being treated (now the size of a pencil eraser). Hoping the redness will heal in time. Finished treatment two months ago, but the smooth red splotch remains. It looks far worse than the tiny dry spot I had before I began treatment. Regret using Efudex."

• Tjd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I had a small spot on my nose. Used this twice a day for 14 days. The spot became very red and got scabby where the precancer is on the skin. After 14 days, I stopped treatment. Now in the healing process. Using Vaseline twice a day. Scabs are showing, coming off on their own. DON'T PEEL. The area is very red but becoming less so a bit. I hear it takes a few weeks for the redness to subside. So far, so good. Not too much discomfort. I did get depressed doing this though, as it's my face and I didn't want to go in public."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2018

For Keratosis "I used Fluorouracil for 2 weeks, twice a day (morning and night) over most of the face. I just put a drop on 4 points of the face, then rubbed it in. I covered a few areas that gave me trouble and a few dark liver spots. I almost stopped because I started to look pretty bad, with sores and red blotches. I looked here for answers but could not find anything. After two weeks, I stopped and started using nothing but good dermatology soap and Luberderm. That was 2 weeks ago. I look much better than I did before starting the treatment. Now, at 6 weeks, I'm very pleased. Don't get scared and don't stop! Two weeks, twice a day. You'll like the results. Good luck!"

• Lou...
• March 31, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I used Efudex for 20 days. Got all the bearable symptoms of rash, redness, and sore skin. It took about 2 months for the redness to go completely. The main long-lasting side effect I have is that it's been six months, and I still have permanently very greasy, greasy skin on my nose and cheeks where I applied it. TIP: make sure you are not prone to rosacea before using it. I didn't know I was prone, but the Efudex triggered the adult rosacea I never knew I had. (Rosacea is like acne, it comes and goes but only in the place where I used the Efudex. It's embarrassing, and I don't like going in public during flare-ups.) I wouldn't recommend this treatment at all. It might be okay on small 2 cm spot treatments on the body, NOT THE FACE. Beware."

• Joe...
• April 18, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "Asked to use 5% fluorouracil cream by my derm, but I have always refused them. I have had Mohs surgery and a few PDT treatments over the past 15 years. Due to COVID-19, I am working from home and can take the time. My derm prescribed 5% at 2 times per day for 14 days. Applied to my entire face and forehead (minus the eyes, mouth, and chin). Day 4 - pain intense, made it difficult to smile, eat, or sleep. Face and forehead red, the skin weeps, burns, and is turning a deeper maroon color. At night I get chills but keep praying that I will make it through. Day 9 now, many areas have blended together around my nose and cheeks as well as some areas on my forehead and temples. The pain is difficult to handle, but not impossible. We are tougher than we think! It is important that I do this for myself and my family. I love them more than I hate the pain. You can do it too! Praying for strength for all of you who are about to join this battle and for those who are in treatment trying to tough it out. You can do it!"

• 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."

• Ben...
• December 16, 2019

For Keratosis "Fluorouracil does what it says, it destroys abnormal cells by making the top layer of the skin peel eventually. The treatment will sometimes make you look very red, and sometimes the skin oozes (be careful around the eyes, that skin is fragile). My recovery after stopping the two-week application was pretty swift. I used Aquaphor and Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50. Probably doing it just before Thanksgiving, if you plan to have holiday pics, is not the best time, however, as of December 15th, my face looks almost normal again, and the area is smooth, wiping out the precancerous cells. It is amazing, one day you just look normal again. Before, you can be a bit apprehensive, wondering if it will ever heal. I did not follow my dermatologist's orders exactly and skipped some of the second daily doses over two weeks. Still worked fine, I stopped at day 14. This treatment works, do take care of the area after for quick recovery."