Fluorouracil topical and Rash: What Users Say

• Nee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "I have been using the Efudex cream for 10 days now. I have come out in red spots on my face, but I am in no pain, as yet. I am wondering if I am using it correctly. The blotchy spots are crimson but not sore. Will it get worse because I was scared to use it, but so far so good as far as pain is concerned. I do look weird though with these red spots everywhere."

• Sir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "After completing my Efudex treatment, my skin seemed to get better, and then it turned out to get worse and worse, with red spots where I had applied the cream. My doctor could not understand why and prescribed me cortisone cream, which turned out to be much worse. Another doctor said I am cancer-free, but from now on, I have constantly broken capillaries on my face, and I am not able to do any inversions or put my head down. My skin is still irritated after 6 months since I stopped using Efudex. With very sensitive skin, you should be aware that this cream is not always the best option."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I ended up in the hospital with a very serious allergic reaction to Efudex. Started with nausea and diarrhea, went into hives, swelling in my lips, mouth, all over my body. I have been out of the hospital for a week, my voice is still hoarse, I still have a rash, not feeling well at all. I'm on Prednisone to counteract the allergic reaction."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I ended up in the hospital with a very serious allergic reaction to Efudex. Started with nausea and diarrhea, went into hives, swelling in my lips, mouth, all over my body. I have been out of the hospital for a week, my voice is still hoarse, I still have a rash, not feeling well at all. I'm on Prednisone to counteract the allergic reaction."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I am up to my last day of treatment, day 21. I have treated my entire face once a day with Efudex and would never do it again. After the first couple of days, red spots start to appear, after a week, my face looked like a severe case of sunburn and felt like it. The intensity of the redness increased along with constant burning. By day 12, I was ready to give up but reminded myself I was over halfway. I didn't know how I could bear to apply more Efudex, but perseverance and willpower have been on my side. It is a painful experience, which I would only recommend as a last resort. Even today, I dread putting the cream on for the last time, but after that, I know each day will be a slow pace of healing. I look forward to the end result and hope all the discomfort is worth it."

• 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."

• Lyn...
• October 24, 2019

For Keratosis "I started on this cream and used it 8 days on my chest. Then I started breaking out in a rash and itching terribly all over my body. My eye got irritated and swelled up. I stopped using it on the 8th day, I was supposed to use it for two weeks. It's 8 weeks now since I used it, and I'm still itching and have new breakouts daily. My doctor called in a steroid cream, and the side effects of it were rash and itching, so I don't know if this new rash is from that medicine or the fluorouracil cream... I hope someone reads these reviews before using this.."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2018

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I've been using fluorouracil for 10 days. After the 1st application to my entire face, I started to see red spots, and lots of them! I'm using the 4% cream. There is very mild itching. My doctor said to use 1x per week for 4 weeks at night, and it's okay to apply moisturizer topped with zinc oxide sunscreen in the morning after washing my face. I don't expect to have problems with this med. I'm a redhead with fair skin."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "My partner and I started applying Efudix at the same time. Me on my nose and forehead, he on the back of his neck. We've both used it before on specific lesions and had good results. He started showing red spots within 5 days. I had to wait 10 days before anything showed up, and I've taken photos of our journey together! His skin is far more reactive (skin damaged?) than mine, and after 3 weeks the back of his neck is a red, sore mass with oozing parts. Time for him to stop treatment and move to recovery. I've applied Efudix to the odd BCC on his back, and his skin has responded well and cleared up beautifully. I'm interested to see how the larger area of his neck will respond. Me, I'm still going. Some areas have reached the erosion stage and are itchy, while a couple of new red spots have just emerged. Looks like I'll be applying for another week until they scab over. Looking forward to the new skin!"

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "Using Tolak for 3 weeks, I have red spots, almost bloody looking. It does get a little crusty, and at every time I shower, the crust falls off, and I wait another day to dry out. I keep you posted about the outcome, Ani."

• Stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

For Actinic Keratosis "5% cream on about 10 square inches on bald head (69 yo m) for 2x/day for 4 weeks for widespread actinic keratosis. One more day to go, then heal and see the doctor for a follow-up. Was expecting a horror show based on other comments here. At no time did it feel like anything more than a 'hot itch', and even that was no worse than how a mild sunburn feels. Never interfered with sleep. Spots got quite red, scabbed up but are now just red spots. Marinated skin when I got up and after dinner so it would not be so gloppy when going to bed."

• Ani...
• July 12, 2022

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I am using it for a week, and the spots (precancerous spots) on my face are very red. Everyone that I know is asking what happened to my face. I am hoping that this is a good sign and is going to work. I keep you posted."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2025

For Skin Cancer "I've been using fluorouracil 5 for 2 weeks now. At first, I didn't see anything, but after a little over a week, I had many red spots on my chest and some on my face! Was told to do only 2 weeks, but after reading up on this, it says it could take 2-4 weeks to start to scale off! How long does it usually take for this process from anyone's experience? I can say that the cream really wasn't irritating! Hopeful for good end results!"