Hi All,
I just finished a 21 day treatment of Carac on Jan. 14. The area being treated was between my upper lip and nose. Two years ago I treated my forehead and was very pleased with the results. Both of these times was under the recommendation of my dermatologist for AK's. I experienced skin tightness, extreme redness, a bad taste in my mouth, slight queasiness, and a headache some days.
I have read most all the posts (especially the 300+ under "Side Effects of Carac or Efudex")and they were so helpful! Just to know that others were having some of the same side effects was reassuring.
I was instructed to use only Vaseline and sun screen (Neutrogena Sensitive - titanium dioxide) if needed during treatment (and Polysporin for cracks or bleeding). The Vaseline was a life saver! It made the whole area so much more comfortable. I think I would have had a much rougher time of it if I had not used this. As some others have posted, I too, was hesitant to put petroleum on my face, but it relieved the itching, burning and tightness. (A lot of people have used aquaphor too, but I could not locate that in my area. It has petroleum in it also.)
When I saw the doctor Monday, she prescribed an ointment called "Biafine" (pronounced Bee-a-fen) for healing. http://www.biafine.orthoneutrogena.com/
Again she said use only this or Vaseline (I'm using both). The Biafine is for full thickness wounds, burns, grafts, skin damage from radiation treatments, etc. and for AK treatment. It's very soothing, but I still need the vaseline to help with the tightness around my mouth (so I can talk and eat!). The redness is fading some each day. I'm glad to be done with this treatment and will be thinking about those of you still going through it.