Fluorouracil topical and Redness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mil...
• June 17, 2024

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "This is my 3rd time using Efudex cream. I have been told by my dermatologist to use Efudex cream 2 times a day for 2 weeks on lower lip, forehead (1 spot), between upper lip and nose (1 spot), and both hands. I have very fair pale skin. My skin reacted really quickly to the cream. In 5 days, my skin was red with blisters and itchy, very uncomfortable. Now I am on day 10 and my hands are swollen, itchy, with scabs, very dry, and uncomfortable. I am applying fresh aloe vera gel from my yard 2 to 3 times a day. I am not sure I can make it to 14 days. I will write to let you know the results."

• Dol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2023

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I used Efudex for 6 weeks in total. I did stop the treatment at intervals when the blistering became too bad. I used it at night and put makeup on during the day to cover all the redness. It is the worst experience I have had with my skin. But looking at my face now, it was worth it. It is 2 months since I stopped, and I still have slight redness in certain areas. However, the improvement in my skin has been wonderful. I will always use 50 factor sun cream when I go out. Heliocare is very good. I hope and pray that I never will have to use Efudex again."

• Pal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2021

For Keratosis "My doctor gave Carac to me to clear up AK above my eyebrow. I used it morning and night for 3 weeks. By then, I had a cracked, bleeding little spot, and my doctor said I could stop. I should say that I didn’t know I should’ve been more careful to only put Carac right on the spot-but I was sloppy with it, so it made a much larger red area than needed. It was probably the size of a thumbprint on my forehead when the AK was only the size of a pea. After treatment, I put vitamin E oil on it religiously and was left with a clean pink spot that I easily covered with makeup for 6 months until the pink was gone. There is no trace of AK on the spot. If I had had that removed with a laser, it would have left a white scar forever. I think this cream is great, and well worth the annoyance of a pink spot for a few months. Also, my doctor gave me a $100 coupon to give to the pharmacist for the cream. I can’t remember how much it cost me out of pocket."

• Bus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Used for 6 weeks in total, but with only 4 weeks application to any one place. Started with hands, then forearms, back of neck and face. After completing all these, I am now doing my ears for the next 2 weeks. My skin quickly covered with horrible red blotches. I had lots of weeping from the back of my neck (and now ears), especially when in contact with a pillow. The red patches eventually scabbed over but still oozed fluid initially before drying and were extremely itchy the entire scab time. I looked like a monster from a 1950s horror film the whole time. Uncomfortable - yes! Worth it - yes!!!!! I knew I had massive skin damage and it was good to see it exfoliated. Most of the scab is now off my hands and arms (due to scratching and pulling at scale), and the underlying redness of the new skin is starting to fade. My left hand and forearm have the deepest and most enduring scabs, while my neck, face, and right hand/arm are already scab free."

• 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."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "At day 15 of 21, my skin is tomato red and weeping. Ready to abandon the treatment (twice a day) altogether. However, after reading the postings here, I understood I am not alone. You have given me the incentive to finish the course. Thank you all. Advice: If your skin is weeping, do not leave a paper towel over it to the extent it can stick and be difficult to remove without damaging the skin. Just dab. At night, lay a spare pillowcase across your pillow and wash it each day. A medal should be awarded to all who finish the course."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ski...
• December 26, 2011

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Was using Efudex which had harsh side effects (redness, swelling). Doc then switched me to Carac - in the same chemical class as Efudex but milder, yet very effective for me."