Monday Musings: Precancerous Skin Treatment Options and Immunity
We’re having a slow, quiet weekend in preparation for a few busy weeks. I’m very excited about a family wedding next weekend, and then Kevin and I are taking off for an extended road trip. I had to order us some larger suitcases because all we own are small bags which are a pain to pack in multiples. I’m trying to get some posts planned so there’s not a lapse, but don’t be surprised if I do miss a day or two.
Egg on my face
It’s not really egg on my face. It’s a pre-cancerous lesion that I’ve been watching and praying would go away on its own.
When it started flaking a few months ago, I told myself I’d just been overzealous with my Retin-A. I tried everything to make this flaky spot go away, but it refused to cooperate. I saw my dermatologist on Friday, and she confirmed that it’s precancerous and has got to go. She’d ordinarily just freeze this off, but that’s not a great option for me. When spots like this get frozen off other people, they just scab up and fall off. But I end up losing pigment and am left with a permanent white spot. She’s decided to prescribe me the chemotherapy drug fluorouracil, which comes in a cream called Efudix. I have friends who’ve used this with great success and wonder if any of you have.
Currently reading
I picked this book up at the library over the weekend and hope it’s an entertaining read. I admit I chose it strictly for the title and cover. Do you ever do that?
I also picked up a few books that look a little less frivolous. I have a hard time finishing books that don’t grab my attention, so I hope this does. What are some of your favorite books or ones you’re planning to read this summer?
Booklight
Wowza, booklights have sure come. long way. My last one was a dinosaur, so I replaced it last week, and I am so impressed! I bought this one which has over 17,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
It is so much slicker than my old one…I feel like I’ve been living in the dark ages, no pun intended. It charges easily with a USB port, so no batteries are needed. The little light pivots to direct it where you need the light.
I bought a white one and ordered my husband a black one.
Outfit Inspiration
Here are a few outfit inspirations I shared on social media last week:
A polished shorts outfit from Banana Republic Factory that would take you out to lunch, to a museum, or backyard party…at a great price.
An easy summer dress outfit from Macy’s, which is marked down!
Easy, peasy shorts outfit with comfy separates for an everyday look.
Immune System Boosting
Someone in our house had a very nasty cold last week, and on Tuesday, I woke up with the beginnings of it. I can’t afford to get a cold with so much going on in the next few weeks, so I raced to Whole Foods and armed myself with some immune boosters.
I’ve sworn by this Wellness Herbal Resistance Liquid for years and believe it makes a huge difference if I feel like I’m coming down with something. I take several droppers throughout the day…probably more than they suggest, but it always shortens whatever I’m getting. This Om Immune Boost was new to me, but since I’m a huge fan of their Hot Chocolate Blend, I figured this was probably pretty good too.
What do you do or take if you think you’re coming down with something?
One of the most entertaining books I’ve read lately is “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman. Highly recommend. I read everything on my Kindle Paperwhite so that I can adjust color warmth and brightness to my liking. Glad your dermatologist came up with a good option for you!
That does sound fun. I love mysteries.
I love that book series!
The Thursday Murder Club is a highly entertaining book, and a quick read. Good for a trip! I am currently reading Hello Beautiful by Ann Neapolito. Itās a great read! I have the same book light, and itās the best book light Iāve ever owned.
I was prescribed fluorouracil at my annual dermatology checkup last year. I used it sparingly throughout the year wherever I had concerns. I treated at most two areas at once, usually treating just one spot at a time. I had read many comments on a site on which patients reported their results and issues using this medication, and the side effects mentioned there concerned me enough to use caution in the amount of cream I used. Many comments focused on psychological side effects. I had no problems and at this yearās checkup, my dermatologist treated only one spot and said everywhere else looked good! I plan to continue using it. It is important to use it sparingly and to stop when you see scabbing.
Thank you! My derm didnāt mention scabbing so I need to read more about it.
My husband is an absolute vitamin freak! He has us on a lot of immune boosting things to. When I get precancerous spots removed I get a white spot too but I always think it’s better then a brown spot. When I had chemo for breast cancer so many of these spots became red and fell off. It was a good thing but looked terrible for awhile. Right now I’m reading Wish You Were Here by Jody Picoult. Hope it’s good!
Our vitamin and supplement containers are very full but Iām a believer, so itās all good.
Hope you donāt get your husbands cold and everything goes well with your facial procedure, lately it seems something is always popping up. I already ordered the book light because of dry eye direct light makes it easier to read. Have a great Monday.
I hadnāt thought of the light and my dry eye! Great point
I have been using flourouracil cream periodically for scaly keratoses on my face. It works, but you have to put up with the spot becoming dark and ugly for a week or so until it flakes off and leaves nice skin under. One caution — I used it for a spot at the corner of my mouth and it caused a mild case of shingles that spread along the trigeminal nerve (from lip to ear and around the back of my head.) Mild, not terribly visible, but ugh. This stuff is strong. It does work, especially on an isolated spot in the middle of the cheek.
Thank you for letting me know. I have lots of keratosis too. I should ask her about that.
It will only work on actinic keratosis, not seborrhic keratosis which are the benign ones. I spent 7 yrs as an office manager for a Derm.
Thank you for clarifying that.
Sorry you are dealing with skin issues. Yes, I have used the chemo cream, for a precancerous area on my nose. The cream cleared the area on my nose, and no scar, or discolored area. I did the treatment during covid while we were all wearing masks, no one knew. The cream makes the skin real red for several weeks, and then it finally heals.
I use zinc, C, and vitamin D for colds. My dr recommended this when I got covid last December. I think healthy diet and rest helps a lot as well. I hope you will feel better and be well before your road trip.
Youāre so right about resting. I have to force myself to do it but my body needs the energy to heal.
I take Zicam and extra vitamin C . Seems to help or ward it off completely.
Thanks for the ideas Jennifer!
Oh yes, I always double up on my zinc and vitamin c too.
Hi Jennifer! Let me start by saying how much I enjoy your blog. Itās my favorite! Your posts are fun and always grab my attention. About skin cancer ā¦. {heavy sigh} ā¦. I burned and tanned way too much in the 70ās. As a result, Iāve have several precancerous growths and two basal cell cancers. The first cancer was surgically removed from the back of my left shoulder. It left a scar, although not too bad. When my second cancer appeared on my chest, I decided to try Aldara at my dermatologistās suggestion. It worked beautifully! Absolutely no scar! I applied the cream 5 days per week for 6 weeks. It was uncomfortable and burned somewhat. The cancer spot also became very ugly during the treatment. However, after the treatment ended, it healed so nicely that I cannot tell where the cancer was. If I ever get another skin cancer, especially on my face, I will use the cream. My doctor recommended leaving the cancer uncovered during the treatment as much as possible. However, I did cover it when in public. All my best to you! The treatment will be over in no time!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Susan. I admit Iām sort of nervous about using it but freezing things off makes such a mess of my face. Iām going to wait until after the wedding to start using it.
I understand your nervousness. I was nervous and did not like what I was seeing during the treatment. It is gross. But remember, the cancer will be obliterated! Yes, it will! I told my dermatologist that this cream ought to be considered for use to treat an injury and prevent scarring. It worked that well! If you need to be lifted up during the treatment, come here. We will cheer you on!
You are so sweet! Thank you Susan. I love my readers.
Iāve used Efudix for a similar lesion and it was fine. Mine was on my back so I couldnāt see what was really going on but all is well now, with no surgery needed.
Whew, thank you for sharing.
Good morning Jennifer! So sorry to hear about your pre cancerous spot. Its nearly in the exact place that I had one last spring, and yes I did use that chemotherapy cream for about 4 weeks I believe. It worked! It was just under a place near my eye ( on cheek) where I had a previous Mohs
surgery. Luckily its all fine now Abd I apply my Isdin sunscreen there faithfully year round. My chest area is next – many pre cancerous places! I’m avoiding the sun! Good luck to you with this!
I remember when you had that Mohs surgery. It was scary. Thanks for letting me know about your experience with the cream. Have a great day!
The efudix was very uncomfortable after about a week. I had several spots above my lip. I used it for the suggested two weeks but the dermatologist says I didnāt get it all. I will have to do another two weeks of treatment. It did leave red areas where I used it. Yours may not be as painful because if us not near your mouth. If you just have that one spot I might suggest another route. I wish you luck with your treatment.
Thanks Jodie. She just wants me to dab it only in that one spot for 21 days. Sheesh, Iām not looking forward to it.
Chemistry Lessons was my favorite read this year!Entertaining and fun
Fabulous! I will. Thank you
Did the immune system boosters help your symptoms?
YES! In two days I was perfectly fine. The sore throat was gone and the cold never hit me. Iām a true believer. I think I also caught it very early.
Good morning, Jennifer. When I feel as if I am coming down with something, I drink lots of tea with lemon and get an extra amount of rest (even naps during the day, which is so hard for me to do!).
Have you read The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly by Margareta Magnuson? I found it amusing. Other recent good books I have read are Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.
Stay well!
I listened to the Swedish Art of Death Cleaning and loved it!! My husband thought I was crazy but then, he canāt throw anything away which makes me nuts!
Jennifer – this is a post prob āfor your eyes onlyā š¤ - just a word of encouragement for you. I have had multiple pre cancerous lesions removed. I have also had several cancerous ones as well but never a melanoma – thank you Jesus. Anyway, my young female dermatologist always always always wants to freeze even on my face. I am sorry that you get a white spot – I do too but Tracey (the dermo I have known since she was a pre-schooler) reminds me that cancer is cancer (even squamous cell which is what I get) and even if there is a HUGE chance it will all be fine why take the chance on not taking care of it right then and there. I am 73 and have spotty skin (which Tracey say to thank my ancestors) and trust when a new icky spot pops up she can freeze it off and that is done so I can live without worry about it and be here for the first grand girl getting married, etc.etc.etc. I love your posts – many are waaaaay out of my price range – and hope you will just zap that spot and not put chemicals in your body that may do worse things than leave a spot behind. Have a great trip! Terry
Believe me, those very thoughts are going through my mind. Chemicals of all kinds make me nervous. Congratulations on your sweet granddaughterās wedding!!
Jennifer- when I start to feel like a cold is brewing, I increase my VitaminC from my daily 1000 mg to 5000. But take it over the entire day. And I start drinking a LOT of water. About a glass per hour. It helps to flush ( ha!) everything away.
The cream for the pre- cancerous spot has worked well for several friends. I left not residual spots on any of them. Good luck with it.
Lots of extra water is so important, I agree wholeheartedly.
If you like historical fiction, the latest book by Kate Morton, The Homecoming, is a good read. The setting is Australia. I have read all her books. She is a very visual writer.
Those sounds wonderful!
This is what works for our family. The key is taking it soon enough, at the first tickle in your throat. A large dose of Vit A (6 of the small ones) plus 2 Vit C. Take with food once per day for three days. Sometimes I sub a cold -eze/Zicam for the Vit C. If I get it in time it staves off the cold. Hope you stay healthy!
I use Umcka at the first sign of a cold. The active ingredient is Pelargonium and it always shortens the duration of a cold or even stops the symptoms from developing . I dissolve the powder in hot water and drink it. Very soothing. But it also comes in other forms.
Iāve never heard of that. Checking into it right nowā¦thanks
Two of my favorite books are Pachinko and The Waiting. I’ll let you read about them, but trust me, they are wonderful!
Thank you!!
Loved Pachinko. Would also recommend The Nightingale for historical fiction devotees.
I, too, have a hard time with books that don’t grab my attention. I recently read Lessons in Chemistry and really enjoyed it. Your selection looks like a good one.
I hope your treatment is a quick success.
Another vote for Lessons In Chemistry. I must try it. Thank you.
I use flurouracil regularly as I am prone to the pre-cancerous spots. I would caution you to use it very carefully and only on the spot. Otherwise you could end up looking like you have the chickenpox. Lots of precanacerous can be invisible and the cream will find them. It takes a while to work. I use it a week on a week off until, the flaking is gone. it does get very red however, at least on me and the red pigment takes a long time to disappear. I prefer to have the liquid nitrogen but I only see the dermatologist every six months and the flurouracil works in between if I discover a spot. Iāve also used it a lot on my chest. Oh the damage we did 30 years ago!
A fun read especially in audio is The Old Ducks Club, about women in their 60ās, friendship and some romance. Nice to read about women our age.
I do love to read about women our age!! My chest is a mess of spots. I need to ask her about that protocol.
Books I loved: Lessons in Chemistry, excellent! The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline, William Kent Kruger novels-go to his website and read his two stand alone novels and then his series next. Excellent books. Donna Tarttās 3 books which took her 7 years on each one. The Gentleman from Moscow and his Laws of Civility. Excellent writer. For a cold I take mega amount of Vitamin C pills and zinc & Vit D. Eat fresh pineapple and drink lots of water. I use a netti pot for sinus cleanings when I have a cold. Be well. Love your advice, Tensil
Iāve read Laws of Civility twice. I loved it that much! Thanks for these other suggestions.
My dermatologist prescribed fluorouracil cream for my per-cancerous lesions. It cleared them up. I had some redness when using it but otherwise it didn’t bother me. (I have very sensitive skin.) Love the colors of the Banana Republic shirt but the pocket flaps the breast pockets are a big no-no for me. Have a great trip to your family wedding. Happy Memorial Day.
When I feel a cold coming on, I also turn to Wellness Formula. A day full of capsules and I always feel much better! I need to try the drop form. Enjoy your upcoming trip
Bewareā¦ the drops taste disgusting but I feel like it gets into my system easier.
I just had 9 or 10 precancerous spots frozen on my forehead so unfortunately I know what youāre going through. Iām sorry itās not that simple for you to have that kind of spot treated! Please keep us posted on how the cream works. Kick that cold out of you!
Oh the damage weāve done to our skin before we knew better!! Sorry youāre dealing with these too.
My brother in law used the same cream on his face – the area was red and nasty looking, but post treatment, the skin looked soft and plump.
I have a pile of books on my book shelf ready toread:
Peter the Great
The Mongol Empire
Heroes (Stephen Fryās book about mythical Greek heroes)
War on the West (Douglas Murray)
Stalingrad (Antony Beevor)
If I think I am coming down with something I take zinc tablets with varying degrees of success
Anyway, have a great road trip – drive safely. Would love to see what you wear to the wedding.
Thanks for the ideas. Itās a very casual wedding so Iām planning to wear my blue Eileen Fisher dress.
That blue dress looks great on you, Jennifer.
Itās the hospital gown. Yes, I love blue!ššš
I have used fluorouracil a couple times with great results. It does start looking pretty bad after a week or so. Your skin turns a reddish purple, very burned looking and feeling. You, do, have to stay out of the sun, though. All this being said, it is quite effective, but a little costly.
Iāll certainly be wearing my sunscreen and hats.
The Book of Lost Names is a good book. Based. On true story. I have been using Zinc when I feel a cold coming on.
I highly recommend reading the historical fiction Madame Pommery by Rebecca Rosenberg. It is the second of the Champagne Widows series. A glass of bubbly alongside would be nice, too. Hope your health issues resolve quickly.
That sounds fun. Thank you!
I’ve been using Efudex on my face for years to get rid of basal cell skin cancers. It works wonders. You use it for two weeks until you get scabs then stop and let it heal. You’ll be amazed how your skin looks when it’s all healed. During those two weeks though don’t be surprised at all the new spots that come to the surface. Underlying skin damage you couldn’t see. But your skin will look great at the end of the treatment. Good luck.
Thank you so much. Iāve been worried about starting it.