fluorouracil cream for pre cancerous skin

[Monchhichi]

Hi, I've just been prescribed fluorouracil cream for a patch of dodgy skin on my nose (very pale skin and too much sunburn as a child!).

I've been warned my nose will probably look a sore scabby mess for a few weeks whilst using the cream but was hoping to hear from people with experience. Was it quite sore to use and was it successful at getting rid of the problem area? I've had a google but most pictures seem to show more extensive damage than I have, thankfully mine is a relatively small patch on the top of my nose.

Thank you!

Anyone?

I have used it on my face, chest and cleavage. I got patches of redness and scaliness. Apparently this was the damaged, precancerous stuff being forced up and out. Eventually these patches scabbed over and the scabs fell off.

I think the whole thing took about six weeks but I did it in my early 40s, a little while back.

Thank you @poetryandwine, have you had any issues since or do you think it got rid of all the suspect areas?

Hi I've used this twice on a patch on my cheek and once on a patch on my nose. Unfortunately the cheek patch is coming back again - 18 months later, but the nose patch is ok, not returned. It wasn't sore to use but does make the patches look unsightly and it did take about 6 weeks. If you've caught the patch early hopefully it'll clear it up for good, I left my cheek too long I think.

Thanks @Mistymountain, unfortunately I haven't caught it early, have been meaning to get it looked at for years! Will have to see how it goes, I work in a school so preparing myself for lots of questions about my sore red nose from the children. Glad to hear it wasn't sore for you.

My mum used this cream for a patch of sore, flaky, scabby skin on her face. Looked much worse before it got better. The cream made the sore skin go all weepy. After about 3 weeks it suddenly all dried up and healed beautifully. No issues since….

That's good to hear, it's a very dry red scaly patch about the size of a penny on the top of my nose that I'm treating, I've been badly sunburned there a few times even though I'm the most careful person I know in the sun as I have such pale sensitive skin. People actually tease me for hiding away from the sun so much. So annoying that I've ended up with issues anyway.

All fine so far, OP

I used it twice a week for 3 months on a patch on my cheek. Went red and fierce looking and then cleared up.

@Monchhichi - I’ve just found this thread after starting my own just now. Just wondered how you got on with the cream? I’ve just been prescribed it for a patch of red skin on my upper lip and hoping it’s not going to be too uncomfortable/unsightly.

@AKAsomeoneelse, I'll upload a photo of my nose at it's worse. It wasn't sore, just a bit tight feeling and didn't hurt to apply, just felt like putting on moisturiser. For the first two weeks it just made the area look a little red, then the third week it started to peel and weep a bit. I only had to apply for three weeks and am now in the healing stage, I'm moisturising lots and it's actually recovering very quickly. Hopefully it has got rid of the patch that needed treating. Good luck with it!

This was at its worst, was like this for about a week.

@Monchhichi - thanks so much for your reply and photo. It’s reassured me somewhat. I know everyone probably reacts differently but there are some horror stories out there! Did you put anything on it - moisturisers etc whilst you were on the treatment? I’m glad it worked for you.

@AKAsomeoneelse no, whilst using the cream I only used water to wash, It really felt like it needed moisturising, so dry, but I didn't want to risk a reaction so resisted. I think it does say you can moisturise half an hour after application though, and you're supposed to use sunscreen if you're outside at all.

@Monchhichi - thanks again. I’ll have a good read of the leaflet. I’m going to start using it next week as I’m going out this weekend so don’t want to risk it in case I react straight away.