Reviewer: FrankW, 65-74 Male on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I am 65M with several Actinic Keratosis spots on the forehead and cheek area for 5 years. I used a 7.5g pump bottle in the normal pair of 14 day application periods. I had the expected nasty inflamed appearance of the application area. There were minor flu-type symptoms for the first few days. Later there was minor bleeding and discharge. I wore a hat and reduced my outings for a few weeks. ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I am 65M with several Actinic Keratosis spots on the forehead and cheek area for 5 years. I used a 7.5g pump bottle in the normal pair of 14 day application periods. I had the expected nasty inflamed appearance of the application area. There were minor flu-type symptoms for the first few days. Later there was minor bleeding and discharge. I wore a hat and reduced my outings for a few weeks. I avoided washing the effected areas to avoid disturbing the healing process, and I think that helped prevent scarring. The second application period was less intense with a less inflamed appearance and less bleeding and discharge. I think a 14 day application period might be too long and maybe 7 to 10 is better for some people. My skin seemed to be trying to heal after 7 days and the later Zyclara applications seemed counterproductive. The Zyclara cleared up one worrisome larger AK spot that was growing and constantly inflamed and I was concerned it might become a BCC. Also it cleared up several small AKs. Many previously hidden AKs seemed to be made visible and successfully treated and hopefully they are gone. Some established AKs were completely unaffected during the Zyclara treatment and they remain. Interestingly, an AK over the left cheekbone was cleared up by the Zyclara, while a similar but older AK over the right cheekbone had no reaction to the drug and it remains. Overall my condition has improved, the unexpected side effects were minor, and so I am satisfied with the results.
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Reviewer: PeterL, 65-74 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
This is my second go-round with Zyclara, so I had a good idea what to expect from a few years back. In my case, no flu-like symptoms or cold sores (I'm using the Zyclara on my bald pate), none of the lethargy that others seem to experience. But the sores certainly ARE noticeable! I look like I've got leprosy! When I'm out, I wear a hat that covers most of the affected area, and oth ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
This is my second go-round with Zyclara, so I had a good idea what to expect from a few years back. In my case, no flu-like symptoms or cold sores (I'm using the Zyclara on my bald pate), none of the lethargy that others seem to experience. But the sores certainly ARE noticeable! I look like I've got leprosy! When I'm out, I wear a hat that covers most of the affected area, and otherwise try to make a joke out of it. Still, as others have said, the worse the appearance, the better the Zyclara is working and the more you needed it! Certainly better than surgery (or death)!
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Reviewer: Shell, 55-64 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I didn't realize the severity of the effects of this treatment. I applied it to one spot on my face and I have several breakouts around that area. Can someone tell me how to treat those horrible spots. I have itching, swelling, and signs of infection. I am currently using Neosporin cream. Doctor did not give advice on how to treat the spots when they appear. Is there a particular way (p ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I didn't realize the severity of the effects of this treatment. I applied it to one spot on my face and I have several breakouts around that area. Can someone tell me how to treat those horrible spots. I have itching, swelling, and signs of infection. I am currently using Neosporin cream. Doctor did not give advice on how to treat the spots when they appear. Is there a particular way (product) to clean the area on my face??? I certainly hope the end result is worth the aggravation and my worry now is that I will scar from this process. My skin is fair and freckily and I scar very easily.
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Reviewer: 55-64 Male on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I am 62 years old and fair skinned. I have now completed the second two week application of the drug. My reaction during the first two weeks was much worse than the examples shown of a severe reaction. My entire forehead and the sides of my face were swollen and crusted. Side effects were not too bad with mild dizziness, indigestion, fatigue, joint pain and occasional nose bleeds. The reactio ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I am 62 years old and fair skinned. I have now completed the second two week application of the drug. My reaction during the first two weeks was much worse than the examples shown of a severe reaction. My entire forehead and the sides of my face were swollen and crusted. Side effects were not too bad with mild dizziness, indigestion, fatigue, joint pain and occasional nose bleeds. The reaction was much worse after day 10. It seemed that the drug was absorbed more directly into the skin through the ulcerations. The swelling and pain certainly got worse. I recommend you avoid applying it to open weeping areas. It took roughly 3 days for the drug to stop acting after stopping application. The whole area scabbed over and peeled within 7 days after that and I was left with pink baby smooth skin. I was very reluctant to start the second 14 day application because I had read that some people had experienced immune system changes but by the end of the healing period I felt fine so I began the second application period. The second time was not as intense as the first in that I did not develop large weeping sores but all the areas affected the first time reacted again and new areas on the edge reacted. It was also much itchier the second time and felt like I had ants crawling under my skin. Again it became much worse 10 days after I began because the skin was so crusty that the drug was more readily absorbed. Three days after completing the second application period my forehead is still swollen and sore to the touch. The itching has reduced but heavy scabs are forming and will soon begin peeling. Over the last 6 weeks I have come to hate this drug. The reaction I had suggests that I needed it badly. However, the science on the drug's mechanism of action, dosage, efficacy and unanticipated immune system effects does not seem very clear. I hope it was worth it.
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Reviewer: rangerman, 65-74 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
I am using a gernaric version of Zyclara. My schedule of application is different than all others had. My doctor told me to use it every other day, 3 time a week. There are 24 little packets that hold .25 grams. I was told to put it on my bald scalp, forehead and cheeks. I am into my 3rd week of using it and I have red scaley patches all over my cheeks and the back of my head. The skin has pealed ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I am using a gernaric version of Zyclara. My schedule of application is different than all others had. My doctor told me to use it every other day, 3 time a week. There are 24 little packets that hold .25 grams. I was told to put it on my bald scalp, forehead and cheeks. I am into my 3rd week of using it and I have red scaley patches all over my cheeks and the back of my head. The skin has pealed in some spots but not ozing. I did develope a cold sore on my lower lip but was not using the cream there. It's hard to cover everything with .25 grams. I am 70 and over the past 10 years Ihave had 5 blue light treatments, freezing, Solaraze and some other gel that I can't remember the name of. I do not know why my schedule of applications is different than all othere here have mentioned. Even the manufactures directions are 2 weeks on and 2off and two on. As I mentioned the cream I am using it the gerneric version which is hard to believe because the insurance compant paid $629.00 and I paid $20. I am hoping that at my age this will be the last treatment of this type.
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