• A type of skin condition, acne causes large red blemishes or cysts to form on your face, chest and back. Not only does it affect your appearance, acne can also become painful, especially in severe cases. For moderate to severe acne, doctors often prescribe topical medications, one of which is a combination of fluocinolone, hydroquinone and tretinoin. Despite the effectiveness of this combination cream, fluocinolone, hydroquinone and tretinoin pose a risk for side effects in some patients.
  
  

Skin Reactions

• Fluocinolone, hydroquinone and tretinoin cream often affects the skin in the area where you apply the medication. Possible side effects include redness, dryness, burning, inflammation, rashes, itching and changes in skin coloration. Cream that contains fluocinolone, hydroquinone and tretinoin may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, which poses an increased risk for severe sunburns. Because of this, avoid tanning and use sunscreen while undergoing treatment with the cream.
  
  

Rosacea

• Approximately 1 percent of patients who take the cream develop a condition known as rosacea, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A chronic skin condition that becomes progressively worse over time, rosacea results in small red bumps on your nose, cheeks and forehead. Rosacea also causes rhinophyma, or a bulbous, red swelling of your nose, and ocular rosacea, a gritty, burning feeling in your eyes.
  
  

Endocrine System

• Fluocinolone has the potential to cause your adrenal glands to function improperly, cautions the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The resulting condition is known as adrenal insufficiency and may produce symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, muscle weakness, dehydration, anxiety and depression, reports Penn State University. The flucinolone in the cream may also result in elevated blood sugar levels.
  
  

Allergies

• Some patients develop severe, anaphylactic allergic reactions to the cream, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A potentially life threatening condition, anaphylactic allergies produce symptoms like difficulty breathing, faintness, chest pain, hives, heart palpitations and wheezing. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction while using fluocinolone, hydroquinone and tretinoin, seek emergency medical attention.
  
  

Mucosal Membranes

• Fluocinolone, hydroquinone and tretinoin cream poses a risk for irritation and swelling of your mucous membranes if allowed to come in contact with the area around your eyes, nostrils or the corners of your mouth. In severe cases, the cream may cause blistering and crusting, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Avoid contact with the membranes whenever possible and wash your hands after applying the cream to avoid accidental contamination of your eyes, nostrils or mouth areas.
  
  

Cancer

• Both hydroquinone and tretinoin are known to produce skin cancer cells in laboratory animals. Although there has been no similar scientific study of the effects of the drugs in humans, there is a danger that the cream may increase your risk of developing skin cancer, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  
  

Pregnancy

• The cream has the potential to cause fetal death, birth defects and mental retardation if used by pregnant mothers. Because of this, doctors avoid prescribing the medication for pregnant women, explains the U.S. National Library of Medicine.