fluorouracil cream? Actinic Keratosis

[RD15]

I’ve just been prescribed it for what the derm thinks is actinic keratosis- two very small patches on my face. He says it could also be Seborrheic Keratosis and if it is the cream may work for that. If not I’ll have to go back and have them frozen.

I’m a bit scared of the inflammation it is going to cause and I’m almost reluctant to start it.

I had this I think for a tiny area and was worried about using it after what I read about inflammation, but I did it and it was nothing to worry about, just looked a bit like a spot and no one even noticed.

Give it a go, but don't worry if you need to move on to getting them frozen off. I've had lots done and it's fine, it hasn't even left any scars.

I'm interested in trying the cream, my dermatologist goes straight for freezing, so I've taken note of the name.

Thank you both so much for the replies- you’ve really reassured me. I started the cream- 4 days in and nothing yet but I know it’s early days.

It took quite a few days to do anything - I even thought maybe the spot wasn't an actinic keratosis and nothing would happen at all, but eventually it did do its thing!

Hi @MakingASilkPurse and @DramaAlpaca,

So I’ve been using the cream for a week now and absolutely nothing has happened! I emailed my dermatologist this morning and to his credit, he came straight back to me. He said that because it could also be benign seborrheic keratosis that no reaction is not surprising and that I should keep using it until the end of the course and if nothing still happens book in for freezing with him. My anxiety is through the roof waiting for something to happen! I should have stayed away from the horror stories on the internet to be honest.

@DramaAlpaca can I ask what your experiences were of freezing? Xx

I can't quite remember although I think it took longer than a week to do anything for me, but it did it in the end - I would persist with the course like your doctor advised and see what happens, I'm sure it'll be fine

I'd been to the GP about mine and they said they thought it was actinic keratosis because they could see some blood vessels when they looked at it with a special light

@MakingASilkPurse thanks for the reply. I’ll keep going with it. How old are you if you don’t mind my asking? I’m 38; hoping this isn’t a precursor to lots more in the future xx

Hi @RD15 the freezing is fine, doesn't hurt more than a bit of stinging, but really not too bad.

The freezing treatment is in an aerosol spray which is just sprayed directly onto the affected area. It scabs over and when it heals the blemish is gone. There'll be a tiny red mark which fades as it heals. It does feels a bit like a burn while it's healing, but it's really not too bad. The worst bit is feeling a bit self conscious while it's scabby, but that's only a few days.

It's absolutely nothing to fret over, especially if the mark being treated is tiny.

Unfortunately you may get more in the future, I did. I'm in my 50s and just go back for another freeze treatment when I notice a few that I want gone.

So far I've only had the one which was last year (I'm 45). I'd read about the likelihood of getting more and I've been using moisturiser with factor 50 sun protection in it ever since in the hope of preventing them - it might not make a difference but I'm hoping for the best! 🤞

Thanks both for the replies- I really appreciate it. He did actually say I haven’t got much sun damage so hopefully I’ll not have too many more. I also use factor 50 everyday although I fear the damage was done in my sun worshipping youth (factor 2 ‘tanning oil’ 🙈) xx