User Reviews for Carac topical

My experience is classic for the information sheet on the package. Face started get sore and red on day 3 of treatment. Patchy red areas that burn and itch. Was told to not put any creams or lotions on because it interferes with treatment. Tylenol helps with the pain. Half way through treatment and not sure of effectiveness.

My Dermatologist stated that this produce, if applied to bald head, has a good possibility of growing hair. Anyone have any comments in this regard??? Have not started using it yet.

Within the first week of my four week treatment I already had redness and extreme dryness. By week #2, scabs were forming with persistant redness. It was not a pretty process, but it's endurable. I'm thankful to have read a review where someone suggested Korres Yogurt Cooling Gel/Creme-very helpful for the cracking and burning! After the healing, the results were wonderful!!

I am fair skinned and spent my youth at the beach wearing baby oil to help me tan. I just finished putting Carac Cream on my upper lip to my nose for 30 days, then on the rest of my face for 30 days. I have senstive skin and was very uncomfortable and unsightly after 1 week of use, but I am glad I stuck with it. Many spots peeled off my upper lip, jawline, upper nose and cheekbones. My skin is smooth now, even where there used to be wrinkles, though I am still very red. Here are my tips to get through tough times with Carac Cream: 1. Take a painkiller one hour before washing face and applying Carac Cream. 2. Wear disposable gloves to apply so you don't later get it in your eyes or nose. 3. If the Carac stings, burns and itches while drying, sit in front of a fan and read. 4. After 2 hours, apply Eucerin ORIGINAL cream in a pot, or Eucerin ORIGINAL lotion, or Aquaphor. Skin doesn't absorb Vaseline, so it doesn't give lasting relief, though it helps you talk and eat when you put it on cracked, dry lips. 5. Isopropol Alcohol or Windex help get Vaseline and lotion off your glasses. 6. Apply ice packs in a wet cotton washcloth for really bad times. 7. Buy a U shaped travel pillow to sleep on so your cheeks don't rub on the pillowcase. Put it flat on the bed with the bottom of the U under your neck. 8. When your face is raw, everything that touches it stings, so use mild soap and shampoo like Dove soap for sensitive skin and Baby Shampoo.Read More Read Less

On day 14, treatment was easy and nothing like I have read. UNSIGHTLY, yes but no pain or burning or swelling. No feeling of tightness or severe sunburn feeling. My skin breakout began on the second week of treatment. Dr. said face should be completely clear in 30 days. I will update the final result. My experience has been good not at all like what I have read.

I am on day 21. Skin is red, tight, peeling in spots. I guess it is working. It was not so bad the first two weeks, but took a bad turn last week. My nose turned purplish red. Co-workers are noticing. One week to go. Dermatologist said I can put makeup on, so that worked till the flaking started. Working at home tomorrow :) Everyone hang in there. It is better than surgery.....I THINK.

All of the reactions that others had regarding itching, pealing and tightness. Had terrible swollen glands after 2 weeks of use which MD attributes to treatment. Any suggestions?

I am on day 27 of a 28 day treatment. From 30 years as passenger on 700 mile trips the right side of face lit up plus my nose and upper left lip. It's been rough during week 3 and now in week 4 face cracks and hurts terribly when I laugh, eat or kiss my husband goodbye (now I blow the kiss..haha)) Anyway, I am so very hopeful that the skin on the right side will be much healthier upon healing. I'll write again at two weeks post treatment.

Billions of dollars into cancer research, and this is the best they can come up with? I've been a subject in a cruel Nazi experiment: How long will I endure self-induced pain and disfigurement before I cry uncle. 14 days. Uncle! Someone earlier said to not use this product if you are "faint-of-heart." Correct. It's very painful. I can't sleep, I'm physically sick from the pain, and I have a cold but can't wipe my nose BECAUSE THE SKIN IS GONE. When I heal again, I'll try something else.

I'm on my 20th day of 21 using Carac and needless to say,I've had enough. I used it on my whole face and I have scabs everywhere which was predictable. I can see all the healing but I don't know the effectiveness until all the reddness goes away. VERY IMPORTANT - I definitely had an allergic reaction, coughing and some trouble breathing. I told my husband I don't know why I am coughing and having such a tough time at night after 10 days, when it hit me, that is when I am using the cream, at night! During the day I was fine and then at night I couldn't sleep and my poor husband was going nuts. It does get depressing so I am hoping for great results. Read More Read Less

I just finished my 3 week course with carac. I didn't get very red/sore/raw/peeing/etc until the last week. Other than a couple of surprise spots, it only hit the sites I had had biopsies, so knew I was going to have reaction there. It wasn't that bad. Burned, itched - kind of like the sunburns of long ago that got me to this place to begin with, rather full-circle. I did find that Korres Yoghurt cooling gel slathered on thick and left to soak in was an oasis for my face each morning. I'm healing nicely, and am looking for suggestions on non-chemical sunscreens - I have skin sensitivities and haven't found one yet I can tolerate.Read More Read Less

I am red haired/fair skin with typical sun damage (Actinic Keratosis). I am covering my entire face and forehead with the cream. I am on day 17 and it is very tough going. Red "hot spots" all over my face, but also areas where the skin is completely red, raw and stiff. This treatment is not for the faint of heart, but I am told that it works wonders. I wish there were some type of "relief" cream that could be applied during times when my face feels like its on fire. My Dr. said to use it only for 3 weeks, not 4 as I have read from others. I will report back.Read More Read Less

I have a headache. Red spots tender to the touch. Doc says Actinic Keratosis. Middle of treatment Doc says looks about right so far.

I am just starting Carac on my face. The whole face. I have had several slice and dice procedures to remove basal cells from my face, and this can't be any worse than having a razor slice off part of my upper lip - can it? Has anyone had scarring from it? If treating at night, can I wear lotion and a powdered sunscreen the next morning? wish me luck - I'll post at the end of my 21 days.

extremely uncomfortable and painful in some areas due to my nerve endings being close to the surface of the skin. I take tranquilizers and neurontin to help ease these symptoms, otherwise I am a satisfied user of this product. I use it every 5 years to help with my squamous and basal cell carcinomas.

I'm at the end of the second week. Good thing I am home from work! I would really be in a mess with my face to face contact with the public. I'm only doing my nose and butterfly mask, it's red, purple areas, scabbing in some places. Has anyone heard read the article "Supercharging Efudex with DMSO?" The process is excelerated to only 4 days!! Not the 28 days we are going through! But is it safe?? DMSO causes it to rapidly penetrate your skin. Will it hurt the rest of my body??

I am at the end of my treatment and have become nausiated and dizzi. I did not relate the two until I gotthe paper out and there it was.

Follow-up - I see postings where people are thinking of discontinuing use due to the discofort, especially on their face. Please, don't give up. Instead ask your doctor about doing it in small sections. Sooo much less discomfort or fear of infection. I wouldn't even consider doing my whole chest at one time.

It worked well for me. My doctor told me I didn't have to do my whole face at one time... so I've been doing it by sections. Sure, it takes longer to get the whole thing done, but lots less discomfort and ugliness. I've finished my forehead (two 4-week sessions) and am now working on my right cheek. The stuff is good!

I used the ceam over my entire face 1xday for 2 weeks. It's now halfway through week three. Ichy, pealy, dry, red skin- ugh! Can't eat without cracking, around my mouth- painful! Lotion irritates it even more. Hopeful that I'll see improvements soon.