Ingenol topical and Burning: What Users Say

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "I was very fortunate with my use of Picato. I have a site on my left cheek that I have to pay very close attention to because I had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from there in 2006. It will get dry at the sight of the surgery, and I am always concerned that there will be a return of the cancer there. In the past, I was prescribed fluorouracil for the two-week treatment. My skin always has a more severe reaction to that treatment. I applied the Picato to the area, it is about three square inches, for the three days. Day one was like a mild sunburn. Day two, there was a little more burning and some mild swelling under the eye. Day three was just slightly worse than day two with the same symptoms. After day four, there was just dry peeling with no pain. One week later, all of the dry skin has peeled away, and the sight looks the best it has in years. I feel bad for the people who had a bad reaction to it, but my experience was much better than I expected."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "Picato literally made my AK worse. I started with just a small red, scaly patch and maybe 3 or 4 bumps. First of all, using the Picato was awful. It chemically burned my face so badly I looked like I had road rash on my face. After healing from the damage Picato caused, I now have a very dark patch of what appears to be damaged skin with several more and larger bumps. Again, this is on my face! I don't think doctors should have patients use this on their face."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "Started burning within 30 minutes. My cheeks were red as if severely sunburned. The burning subsided after 3 hours. My cheeks stayed red. The next morning, my face was swollen. Three days later, there are still red blotches all over my face. The skin is extremely dry and cracky. I pray my skin will recover its softness at some point. Needless to say, I did not apply on Day 2."

• Fro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 1, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "This is my 3rd experience using the 0.015% gel on some diffuse AK around my forehead, sides of my face, and just below the nose. I am on day 3 and just applied my last dose after dinner. I take ibuprofen just before each dose is applied, but it doesn’t seem to completely help with the pain and burning that starts at about 15 minutes and lasts for about 9 hours. The day after the first dose, I get lots of crusty skin from serous fluid being released. It actually feels better after a morning shower with a very mild face cleanser. I apply either Vaseline or Cerave (I think Aquaphor would also work) to keep the skin from getting dry and tight. The worst pain and burning is in the hours just after application. Taking a walk in the cold after dark provides some relief. I know my skin looks frightening right now and will for at least 3 more days, but I know from past experience, the crustiness will go away and I can at least camouflage with makeup until the redness goes away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2018

For Actinic Keratosis "I started Picato gel the day after Christmas, the 26th, because I'm off work till Jan 2nd, Tuesday. The doctor administered it on my nose 12/26. It was a bit red hours later, and I rinsed it off after 8 hours. It is burning, but not that bad. On day two, I went back and had the doctor administer it on my nose again. I was too scared to put it on myself for fear of getting it in my eyes. The doctor said don't put it on if day three is too irritated. Well, the second night was completely different! Even though it was put on my nose, it got very, very red and sore to the left of my nose also. I have NEVER EVER seen skin as red and irritated EVER. It was put on for 2 and a half hours on the 3rd day only. It got more red and sore as time goes on after the 3 days! Today is Monday - New Year's Day. It's better from applying Vaseline, Neosporin."