What are actinic keratoses (AKs)?
AKs are precancerous patches — or lesions — of skin. They appear on parts of
the body exposed to the sun. This includes the face, scalp, arms, or hands. They
can look rough, dry, or scaly. They range in color from tan to pink to skin-toned.
Who can get AKs?
Sunlight damages your skin. Over time, this damage may lead to AKs. Anyone can get AKs, but fair-skinned people
are most affected. Long-term sun exposure increases the chances of getting AKs. In fact, more than half
of older, fair-skinned people who have lived in hot, sunny areas have AKs.
Can AKs turn into skin cancer?
Yes. Reports suggest that up to 20% of AK lesions may transform into a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).*
In turn, this type of cancer can spread to deeper tissue. This is why it’s so important to treat AKs seriously and
as early as possible.
What are AK treatment options?
There are many options. Only your doctor can determine the appropriate therapeutic option for you.
Your doctor can prescribe topical creams like
Carac® to treat AKs. Other procedures, such as freezing the
lesion with liquid nitrogen, are another option.
Treatment Considerations
- Carac® is for external use only
- Avoid contact with eyes, eyelids, nostrils, and mouth
- Cleanse affected area and wait 10 minutes before applying Carac®
- Wash hands immediately after applying Carac®
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or other forms of ultraviolet irradiation during treatment, as the intensity of the reaction may be increased.
- Most patients using Carac® get skin reactions where the medicine is used. These reactions include redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of the upper layer of skin), and swelling. Irritation at the application site may persist for two or more weeks after therapy is discontinued. Treated areas may be unsightly during and after therapy.
- If you develop abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or chills while on Carac® therapy, stop the medication and contact your physician and/or pharmacist.
- Report any side effects to the physician and/or pharmacist
Important Safety Information
Carac® should not be used by women who are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or nursing. Carac® should not be used by people with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency or in people allergic to any of the ingredients in the product. If you develop abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or chills while using Carac®, stop the medication immediately and contact your doctor.
Carac® is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, nostrils, and mouth. Wash hands immediately after applying Carac®. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or other forms of UV light.
Most patients using Carac® get skin reactions where the medicine is used, and the treatment areas may become unsightly during and after therapy. The most common skin reactions include redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of upper layer of skin), swelling and eye irritation. These skin reactions can last for two or more weeks after therapy is discontinued.
Indication
Carac® is indicated for the topical treatment of multiple actinic or solar keratoses of the face and anterior scalp.
For more information, please see Full Prescribing Information for Carac®.