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

• 1st...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

For Actinic Keratosis "62 yr. old male. This did work, but beware, for 'most' using this RX is very tough physically and is also mentally challenging. I had to treat my whole face, and after approx. days 5-6, my face began to get very red & tight, sores appeared all over, SEVERELY itch and started looking quite horrendous-which got progressively worse looking every day thereafter. I missed 3 weeks of work as I did not want to be seen/stared at by others as it's next to impossible to hide your face. The dermatologist did not say much, other than how to apply it.....I now know why!! The severe non-stop itching was the worst part for 'me'. Nothing I was told to use (anti-itch cream and Benadryl) gave me much relief. Sleep became hard to get (even though I was exhausted), felt nauseous at times, irritable, and loss of appetite. Back in my day, a sunburn was just a sunburn. You stayed out of the sun a day or two and then we'd be right back outside in the sun! I pray I never have to use this again!!!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "Using Efudex for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on my nose. Have finished 24 days and plan to go for 4 more days. My dermatologist feels if it hasn’t done the job, then it most likely will not work. My nose has been red since week one, then the affected area scabbed over during week two and three. It was uncomfortable but tolerable. Since I began week four, the pain has become intense at night, almost intolerable. I am trying to soldier on, but it is very stressful. I am using Tylenol and Benadryl, but nothing eases the pain but ice packs. It feels like someone is driving needles or glass in my nose. It’s brutal. My phone doesn’t recognize me anymore."

• Fem...
• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "I have very fair skin and was sunburned on many occasions when young. I'm in my 70s now and have over the years had BCCs on my hands as well as an SCC on my nose treated in various ways, but never with cream. When Bowen's disease (SCC) was found on my lower leg after a recent biopsy, my dermatologist prescribed Efudex cream for a period of 6 weeks. My experience has differed from that of most other people on this site - I had no pain, burning, crusting, etc., only perhaps slightly more redness. Possibly the Alvesco corticosteroid spray I take for my asthma, being anti-inflammatory, dulled the side effects. My doctor checked me in the 4th week and said the cream was working, but slowly, and that I needed to use it for an extra 2 weeks, 8 weeks in total. I've only just reached that milestone now, and the lump seems to be gone at last. If it's worked, I've been lucky - it was painless and only just a bit fiddly with using gloves and keeping skin uncovered for a while. Fingers crossed!"

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2025

For Skin Cancer "This is my 3rd time using fluorouracil. Applied to the left side of my face for 21 days, was supposed to be 30, but my dermatologist looked at me and said stop. It was all red and scabby, but the face looked good after about 2 weeks. This was about 3 years ago. Now I am doing both sides of my face and have been applying twice a day for 12 days, and my face is not to be seen in public. No sleep, and if I do, I wake up in a puddle of oozing stuff. Thrown out 4 pillowcases, 1 pillow cover, and 1 pillow. I did stop the cream and am dealing with what is hopefully the healing process. I have used Carac on my face years ago, and results were good. Have been on the skin cancer journey for 17 years now. Price you pay for all those years of sun and tanning beds. Best of luck to all on this cream."

• 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."