Side Effects of Carac or Efudex

This message board has been a life saver. I am a 22 year old with red hair and (in the words of my dermatologist) the fairest skin know to man. Was prescribed Carac for flat warts on my face that did not respond to freezing. Though I have always been a sunscreen nut, I am using the Carac on my whole face to see if there is any sun damage. (And there is!) I'm on day 15. Definite redness, pain, peeling, and itchiness on my face. The past two nights have resulted in my crying for 2 hours while I wait to put on Aquaphor, and then crying another hour while I wait for it to soak in. I'm in college, I can only hope my profs are understanding that I can't come to class this week. Supposed to be on it for 30 days, I don't anticipate being able to last that long, probably going to call for sleeping pills as I am already taking 2 benadryl tablets and 2 motrin tablets to no avail. Regardless, I can see that it is working, and knowing that I am getting rid of sun damage before it turns into cancer is a relief that makes it so worth it. Oh yeah, I teach Sunday School as well, and the kiddies haven't said anything yet. Thank goodness! They're usually the first to tell you when you look funny!

Hey there it's been about 6 weeks post carac for my face and complexion has evened out and it looks good.  I've started back on the tretinoin for face and been putting it on my arms for the past 3 weeks.  I've got about 6 aks on my forearms mostly that have popped up and arms are peeling some.  Going to keep using it here til i go back to derm in january and get more carac to use on arms and shoulders to finish those aks off.  Been using palmers skin fade cream on arms as well and it has lighten freckles up some and helped exfoliate. Will start on the obagi nuderm system next year after i'm done with the carac.

Hang in there.  I just finished my 3 weeks of treatment and I hope my face will start healing. It is a cross between hurting and itching. The creases of my nose and from the corners of my mouth down to my chin are dry and cracked.  I just use Aquaphor, A&D, vaseline.  It is so UGLY!! I wear a mask at work and fortunately it is flu season and everybody thinks I am sick! I am 54 and just had some flaky places. I did't know it would do this! I take pictures every couple of days to see the progress.

Hi brons, I know how anxious you are to heal some days it will seem like a slow fade but you did it and it will only get better.  Keep hydrating your skin, in a few weeks you'll look so much better.

Hi to esf09,  This is certainly rough for you I'm sure, your so young and having to be around other young people dailey.  This kind of treatment not only works physically but mentally on a person also, it's hard not to look in the mirror everyday when going through it,  but let me assure you when are done with this your skin will look smooth and even more youthful, and then they will all envy you.  Keep plowing forward and stay strong, in a few weeks it will just be a memory. 

Hi esf09,

Brave doing your whole face when there aren't obvious signs on it all.

I was convinced I'd need to do my whole face although my doctor seemed to think it best to only do where it was definitely needed.  So I did a few bits and they did react. I then decided to only watch the rest of it and in 18 months havn't seen any change so I'm in no hurry.

I keep a diary on a webpage with a few photos;

http://www.mynewsplace.co.uk/efudix.html

 

Pete

 

 

On Oct 25, 2009 8:29 PM brons wrote:

Hang in there.  I just finished my 3 weeks of treatment and I hope my face will start healing. It is a cross between hurting and itching. The creases of my nose and from the corners of my mouth down to my chin are dry and cracked.  I just use Aquaphor, A&D, vaseline.  It is so UGLY!! I wear a mask at work and fortunately it is flu season and everybody thinks I am sick! I am 54 and just had some flaky places. I did't know it would do this! I take pictures every couple of days to see the progress.

Hi brons,

I did my nose and above my lips and the cream amplifies in the creases so you don't need as much. It's healed OK now though.

I did a photo of my nose on the 22nd June 2008 in my on-line diary. I read a website that said keep scaping off the scabs but I wished I hadn't as that bit seems to be permanently a sort of purple colour. Although there is no sign of anything there now and I use 50 factor every day.

http://www.mynewsplace.co.uk/efudix.html

Pete

Hi to pete3080,  Just want to say Hi and thank you for informing some us through your on-line journal, it helps to know what is a kind of (expected normal) when dealing with topical chemo especially for those who are new to it.  Keep up the fight!!          Winter