I have been applying Fluorouracil Cream for about 3 weeks to my scalp and forehead. It is dry, flaking, and itches. How do i know when to stop applying?
How to know when to stop applying Fluorouracil Cream USP 5%?
Question posted by Ravenvail66 on 23 Oct 2011
Last updated on 2 February 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
22 Answers Page 2
Taildragger
7 Jan 2018
I felt compelled to jump in on this discussion. I've been in the sun my whole life. After a Doc visit, she had me apply 5% FL to the red (affected) areas of my face, twice a day for 14 days. I wasn't absolutely sure what was going to happen. After 1week, the areas that were treated turned very red. In a matter of a day or 2, the skin peeled, and a couple of blisters appeared. Shaving became impossible and sleeping on my side became extremely painful. I didn't think it could finish the 2 week treatment, but tougher it out.
The healing process started rapidly. Within another week, I saw improvements with each passing day, literally. It's been 5 weeks since my last application and the skin is now just red. It's more noticeable when I'm hot and not that noticeable normally. I'm due for a follow up doctor visit in 1 month. Oh, my wife has mentioned that my skin is much smoother since the treatment. A plus!
My suggestion is to consult your doctor. Everyone is different, so I don't believe there is a "canned answer".
buddygramma
7 Nov 2017
Question is "How do you response to someone else that is going through the beat up face". Do you look directly at them and see them and talk to them??? Or do you try not to look at them directly ??" That is exactly how most will react to you !! Go for it and know that it will be better shortly. God Bless us all. Buddygramma
PS if I use my fingertips and wash directly afterwards will my fingertips be effected with the burning?
LisaLK
4 May 2017
I'm on my 13th of 14 prescribed days. My Dermatologist instructed me to apply to my face morning and night for 14 days. I've wimped out and am only doing forehead and temples. (I watched a few YouTube videos of people who taped their journey with this which was helpful for me in making this decision) I'm glad too, as a whole face application might be overwhelming both visually, emotionally and physically. The pain hasn't been bad, it usually stings for about 5 or 10 minutes after washing or re-applying cream. Sometimes it's a little worse than other times but not unbearable. Feels a little tight and itchy now. Visually, during the day, it's slightly hidden as I'm wearing my hair down with bangs over it. (Lucky to be able to do this, I know many of you cannot). My forehead is mostly all dark red now which started with lots of faint spots after using cream for about 5 days. They have now virtually all connected.
I am a fair skinned, blue eyed red-head, with decades of Southern California sun damaged skin! I've had countless pre cancer spots removed via liquid nitrogen for 20 years, and once a basel cell carcinoma cut off my forehead. The doc just recommended this for me a few months ago so here I am. I'm hopeful and will do rest of face eventually. Might wait for winter as the warmer months are here already. Good luck to you if using. The hope of ridding myself of cancer cells make this all worthwhile. And I hear that the new skin will be lovely. That's another good trade off for this 59 yr old gal!
genesisjenna
11 Jan 2015
My Dr. told me to use this cream 1 time per day on my face for two weeks and 2x a day on my arms and hands for 1 month.. I am about 9 days into the treatment and I am miserable,
The healthy skin will not be affected by the medication. If you work with the public, this might prove to be very embarrassing.
CindyM
2 May 2013
If your dermatologist did not specify this, ASK! I learned from my doctor that treatment varies, and because one person has a treatment plan, it is NOT consistent across everyone. It's specific to you and your response. My doc is allowing mine to change because of my personal reaction. So don't ask us, please turn to your doctor for what is right for you, your skin, your reaction to treatment.
Tomsbadskin
14 Feb 2013
My skin specialist had me on full face treatment for two weeks, 2xday. I left it on all day &night, w asking face w/mild soap &water before each application. I discontinued cream after 2weeks. My face was in absolute misery. I looked like a monster. I rushed to mr Dr & he said "that's perfect". I started the cure cycle. I am in the 3rd day of. Curing & I just noticed a change for the better. The lesions seem to be gone but I will not look normal for another 3weeks... or more. This is far worse than anything I could have imagined. I can't bear to be seen outside my home. My Dr says that I will be happy that I took this route. I will keep you informed.
york2013
26 Feb 2013
Hi Tomsbadskin, if you don't mind can you give us an update? I have some damaged skin on my face and the Dr gave me a tub of Fluorouracel 5% cream. I'm really debating on doing this because I work in sales, Am i going to be out of commission for awhile? I plan on doing my whole face at one time to get it over. Any advice? Thank you a bunch!
J Spaulding
28 Sep 2016
I'm on day 16 of a 21 day treatment to my upper lip and forehead. People won't even look at me while having a conversation with me. I don't want to even leave the house but I do have to go work. Hope this is all worth it.
haverfordrp
28 Feb 2017
to York2013 - I see you posted a few years ago - since then there is a new 3 day treatment that is available - with healing time total is about 6 to 9 days. Maybe check with Dr. about that product. I have personally used both the 3 day and 3 week product but the 3 week was just spot treatment so was bearable. I did the 3 day one everywhere but the shorter time period made that doable.
MartyC33
8 Aug 2017
York 2013 - If you are in sales, only spot treat (small spots) and let it take its course. A full face thing would be a huge mistake, especially in sales. Even if it takes you two years, only spot treat, I don't care what the doc says... if it's serious in some spots. do them first or have plastic surgery. This product is rough. Definitely have vasline on habd when it starts to scab up - week 3 for me it happened. Very painful without it. A lifesaver. My doc never said a freakin thing about pain.
kat4kat
12 May 2018
I have been tagged with the " blue light" therapy (2 years ago), and I'm in the middle of a 2nd Efudex experience.
Both we'll leave your face in varying degrees of awful, depending on the amount "naughty" cells you have.
The "blue light" treatment therapy is a one-and-done, but will sequester you in a dark room for a bit during the burning process; 2 weeks for me with severe sun damage.
I will say that I preferred the blue light, for it's non-chemo substance. It's not always manageable for promote too his out in the basement during the Burning process though.
My sun damage is severe, with ball cell as well as melanomas, so my pride is no longer with skin cancer Treatments and preventatives.
Hang in there and report symptoms to your dermatologists. Stay with it and stay healthy, everyone!!
Ron k west
20 Oct 2018
It seems like after summer passes i’am back into the dermotology office. This is the second time I have used Fluorouracil. Yes I look terrible with deep red splotches all over my bald head face and neck, plus my ears. This time has been worse with swelling and a deeper burn. The burning was so bad I couldn’t sleep. I put a towel with ice on my face so I could get some relief. I am peeling under my eyes. Aloe Vera gel helps the discomfort. I am very fair skinned. “Red headed”. I have read where I should use sun scrtevery day when out doors. Yes even in the winter for me. A different dermatologist used a blue light treatment on me several years ago. He put a chemical of some sort on my head and I waited 45 minutes and then my head was placed under this light for ten minutes. I thought I would never make it for the ten minutes, I was on fire. After that they put cold towels on my head. I understood the stor about Lazarious and the rich man fully after that treatment. No more of that.
Marvell
25 Oct 2011
Fluorouracil cream is used to treat sun-damaged skin, pre-cancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses (also called solar keratoses), squamous cell carcinoma and for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma.
It works by blocking the growth of abnormal cells that cause these skin conditions.
Fluorouracil cream is also sometimes used to treat other skin conditions such as viral warts.
How long you use fluorouracil cream for depends on what you are treating.
The dosing information is given below but I would suggest that you confirm it with your dermatologist/doctor.
Fluorouracil topical Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Skin Cancer:
Superficial basal cell carcinoma:
Apply 5% cream or solution to lesions twice daily with gloves or nonmetal applicators.
Treatment should continue for at least 3 to 6 weeks, and may be required for as long as 10 to 12 weeks to resolve the lesions.
Usual Adult Dose for Keratosis:
Actinic or solar keratosis:
0.5% cream (microsphere formulation): Apply to the affected area once a day. May be applied with the fingers and hands should be washed immediately afterward.
1%, 2%, 5% cream or 2%, 5% solution: Apply to the affected area twice daily with gloves or nonmetallic applicator, using sufficient amount to cover the lesions.
The usual duration of therapy is 2 to 4 weeks, until the inflammatory response reaches the erosion state, at which time treatment is discontinued. Lesions may not heal completely for 1 to 2 months after fluorouracil therapy has been discontinued.
Solar keratoses which do not respond to treatment should be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis.
puckiemull
25 Oct 2011
Hi marvel,i friended you,could you contact me please,i need help with someone on here.Will giv you more info when you contact me Thanks
Hanginthere1
3 March 2017
Hi! I finished the treatment to my forehead and have 5 days left on the rest of my face for a total of 2 separate week treatments.
Yes, I look very irritated and it has been an adjustment to have confidence and live normally but I encourage you to do this treatment if your doctor has suggested it as suitable for you.
Yes, people like cashiers, tend not to look at me but so what?! It's an alternative to skin cancer! Just do it & suck it up, buttercup!
:)
I am a competitive strength athlete and this treatment has not effected my training. I bought a wide sun hat, think Sombrero, and I am having a great time gardening and training/walking dogs, that is -- I'm living my normal life and getting rid of skin cancer. It's so worth it. Yes, it is uncomfortable. Yes, you will have to bolster your self confidence and face the world. Yes, it is worth it.
I hope this helps someone. :)
want it over already
25 June 2017
What are the signs that you are in the "erosion state"? I believe I have been in this stage for a while. But doctor doesn't get me in the office for frequent enough visits and I'm afraid I shouldn't be applying this stuff any more. I've been on it since the 2nd week of April, and now it's almost July. I have scabbing, yellowish clear liquid oozing, itching... should I just stop without the consent of my doctor. I have read it produces rash and lung problems for some patients. What if I'm just creating a problem by being on this stuff for so long? I'm not getting much guidance from my doc. :(
kat4kat
12 May 2018
This Treatment will only address / attack abnormal cells; cells that will continue to divide & grow without normal control.
You may be experiencing a deeper penetration in to those "naughty" cells. I've had crustings in some of the more sun damaged areas, that has a bit of oozing as the skin would break; similar to a blister after it's broken.
Try using a vitamin E oil or aloe vera gel to calm the area.
If you are doing two applications a day, try easing off the second one for a day or two.
Check with your doc, though. Get a phone consult if he/ she can't get you in got an appt.
This is a rather brutal experience, but you should not have to add the stress of worry to this ordeal. You should be accorded the relief of a phone consult, at the very lest.
Related topics
Further information
- Fluorouracil uses and safety info
- Fluorouracil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Fluorouracil (detailed)
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