How Much Worse Does It Get? 12/21 Days into My Carac Treatment. (photo) Doctor Answers, Tips
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How Much Worse Does It Get? 12/21 Days into My Carac Treatment. (photo)

I am 12 days into 21 day Carac treatment. My face appears degraded as a man on You-Tube video is at 18-19 days. Is this a sign that I have bottomed out early, or that I am going to get much much worse? Also, Dermo said it wouldn't affect healthy skin, but I have turned red even where there were no visible AK's. Is this a sign of extemsive subclinical AKs?

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1 Doctor Answer | Asked by deafasapost
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Redness During Carac Treatment

Depending on the degree of previous sun damage, the skin reaction from Carac can range from minimally pink to exuberantly red and dry, even to the point of superficial erosions and pain. If you're able to tolerate the reaction that you mention is happening for the next 9 days or so (until the course of treatment is finished), that would be best. If you feel your skin is tight from the Carac reaction, try using a greasy bland product like Aquaphor or Vaseline petrolatum. And yes, the areas... more
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Comments (1)

deafasapost 21 Feb 2013
Face did not deteriorate much between day 12 and day 15. On Day 15 I apparently developed a reaction to the treatment. Itching suddenly became intolerable, burning turned to soreness, and eyes always teary. Dermo decided that treatment had run its course and took me off of Carac. He prescribed a steroid shot, a cortisone cream and a pill for hives like itching. Itching was still significant but tolerable. Skin improved rapidly. I am not 9 days post treatment and look nearly normal. Dermo agrees that redness was probably subclinical AK's.

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