Ectropion following topical 5-fluorouracil treatment

Emma Villamaria; Nicole Dacy; Allie Preston; Chad Housewright

doi:10.1080/08998280.2023.2165296

Ectropion following topical 5-fluorouracil treatment

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2023 Jan 17;36(2):249-250. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2023.2165296. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Emma Villamaria¹, Nicole Dacy², Allie Preston², Chad Housewright²

Affiliations

¹ McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
² Department of Dermatology, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple and Texas A&M College of Medicine, Temple, Texas.

Abstract

Topical 5-fluorouracil is a common treatment for actinic keratoses. Its side effects may include intense erythema, erosions, contact dermatitis, systemic intolerance in susceptible individuals, and ulcerations. We present a case of a 78-year-old woman who developed unilateral ectropion after topical 5-fluorouracil application. This case highlights the importance of clear patient instruction while prescribing topical 5-fluorouracil. Patients should be advised to wash their hands thoroughly after application. We also stress the importance of counseling patients to keep the medication away from the orbital rim, eye, and eyelid.

Keywords: Ectropion; Efudex; orbital rim; patient instruction; side effects; topical 5-fluorouracil.

Publication types

Case Reports