← Return to Skin cancer: Has anybody had fluorouracil treatment?

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Profile picture for barbie2 @barbie2

I'm thankful to find this forum. I just completed a 2 week treatment with Fluorouracil cream. I was applying to precancerous lesion on my nose. I wasn't told much by my dermatologist except to use twice daily on my entire nose area and see her in 3 months. Thank you very much. I did not expect the reaction I got from the medication. My nose is swollen, bright red, sore, and the skin is very tight. I have various stages of blisters and scabs. I called a local pharmacist as well as the dermatology office to get further clarification such as: Can I use sunscreen during treatment? Will this redness diminish? Will my skin return to normal? It is distressing to me. I've resorted to putting a bandaid over my entire nose and wearing a hat whenever outside. I feel very fatigued and don't know if this is partially to blame. I've had MOH's surgery for a basal CA above my left eyebrow and have had other lesions burned off. This is my first experience with the cream. I'm thankful for this forum to hear your experiences. I find it very comforting thank you! I also just learned about IG-SRT and will consider that if I need future "surgery".

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Replies to "I'm thankful to find this forum. I just completed a 2 week treatment with Fluorouracil cream...."

@barbie2 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! As @tjm53 said, and I'll bet others are nodding their heads [me, too!], what you are experiencing is common. Some of us have more severe responses to this topical medication when there are more presentations of underlying precancerous spots.

I recall being so freaked out the first time I used this cream, when so much of my face broke out in angry spots. I thought it was an allergic reaction! Nope, it was the cream doing its job. Still working, I just "grinned and beared it". Used it as education for those who were brave enough to to comment on my predicament, to wear sunscreen!

It will take time to get through. Be gentle to yourself, and to your skin. After a couple of weeks, when it has had time to really work, I start back on using a lightweight sunscreen. Before that, I don't want to dilute the effects. Stay out of the sun if you can. Yes, wear a hat!
Ginger