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5-fluorouracil & calcipotriol for actinic keratosis

Posted by SRKONA @trixie5141, Aug 1, 2024

My doctor has prescribed a combination 5-fluorouracil and calcipotriol topically for solar actinic keratoses on my face. Has anyone undergone this regimen? Is it as bad as it appears to be on Dr. Google? Does the treatment work? What have you is most useful to reduce pain? Are cold compresses or acetaminophen allowed or helpful? Tips for keeping the cream from getting in your eyes? How close to the hairline and onto neck do you apply it? Long-term is your skin more sensitive? Has anyone used low-level light therapy (LED) to promote healing after completing the regime? Any insight or tips you can share would be greatly appreciated. I’m so very apprehensive.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 2 days ago
In reply to @comeoutdancing "Like many, the redness showed up around day 4 or 5. And by day 6 and..." + (show)
@comeoutdancing

Like many, the redness showed up around day 4 or 5. And by day 6 and 7, my face and chest were uncomfortably hot: like a bad sunburn or an unfortunate period under a sun lamp (which I did once 50 years ago).
My face looks red and a bit puffy. Happily, I was directed to stop the face and chest treatments after 7 days. Still using it on my arm for another 7 days, which never got uncomfortable at all.
Thanks for the encouragement. I am hoping this helps me avoid more skin cancers.
Any reports on how long it takes for my face to return to 'normal'?

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@comeoutdancing Perhaps trying a lightweight moisturizer/sunscreen will help. Be very careful of sun exposure! If this is the first time you have used fluorouracil ointment, it might be a few weeks before your face returns to its normal coloring. That means the stuff worked! Yay!
Ginger

REPLY
comeoutdancing | @comeoutdancing | 1 day ago

Thanks, Ginger. I did not ask how long this treatment takes. I am a bit chagrined at my schedule requiring me to be in public with this red face. And I bet the peeling will be even more off-putting. Day 8-10 have zapped my energy. Did others feel their energy drop as the skin becomes burned and raw? I feel quite vampire like too; the sun is absolutely horrifying to me during this second week.

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1 reply
pagstar | @pagstar | 22 hours ago

I am also into week 2.... very red, sensitive, and unpleasant. I have been applying Aquaphor ointment a few times a day, which gives some relief. One thing I've noticed is an elevation in my blood pressure. I've read that this can be a side effect. I agree with you, that even going out into the heat is annoying.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 16 hours ago
In reply to @comeoutdancing "Thanks, Ginger. I did not ask how long this treatment takes. I am a bit chagrined..." + (show)
@comeoutdancing

Thanks, Ginger. I did not ask how long this treatment takes. I am a bit chagrined at my schedule requiring me to be in public with this red face. And I bet the peeling will be even more off-putting. Day 8-10 have zapped my energy. Did others feel their energy drop as the skin becomes burned and raw? I feel quite vampire like too; the sun is absolutely horrifying to me during this second week.

Jump to this post

@comeoutdancing Everyone experiences are different, even in the face of a similar treatment. For me, I react very strongly at about the week mark. Sometimes I will use a light foundation or concealer, but over the years, I just grin and bear it. We gotta know it is helping us, so who cares if people stare!?
Ginger

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bill60 | @bill60 | 3 hours ago

This may be late for you, but I will treat my face in the winter. Days are shorter, cold, and sun is not strong. We also hide more skin.

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