Cryotherapy is a form of treatment that uses extreme cold in order to destroy abnormal skin cells. We can treat certain spots on your
skin through this method in a careful and controlled way.
There are different type of cryotherapy but the one we will tell you about in this leaflet is ‘Liquid Nitrogen’. Liquid Nitrogen is a gas – Nitrogen which we can find in the air we breathe but this is cooled down to very low temperatures, so it becomes a liquid form.
How does cryotherapy work?
Cryotherapy is used in a few ways:
• Through a special container with different types of nozzles and a spray gun.
• Using a cotton-bud dipped in the liquid nitrogen
• With a metal probe
Whichever method is used – the area of skin that needs to be treated is frozen to very low temperatures (below zero!) hence destroying the cells. The amount of time the treatment is applied for and the number of times the treatment needs to be done is dependent on how big your skin lesion/lesions are. Your doctor will discuss this with you before treatment.
What is cryotherapy used for?
Cryotherapy is used to treat over 50 types of skin conditions. While it used mostly to treat benign (non-cancerous) skin lesion, it can be used to treat pre-cancerous and even some cancerous skin lesions. Examples of commonly treated lesions include:
▪ Warts (hands, feet, genital)
▪ Skin tags
▪ Pre-cancerous skin lesions (eg. actinic keratosis)
▪ Cancerous lesions (superficial basal cell cancers). Cryotherapy should not be used to treat a skin lesion when the diagnosis is not certain just in case it happens to be an underlying cancer. Cryotherapy should be carried out by an experienced care provider.
What should you expect during your treatment?
▪ Freezing Technique: This is often performed using a spraying device, but cotton swabs and certain probes can also be used. Your doctor may decide to scrape or file down the surface of your skin if it is thickened (eg. Wart) as this will make the treatment more effective.
During the freezing treatment, your skin will begin to turn white and your physician will maintain this frozen state between 5 and 30 seconds. Once the freezing stops the skin will then thaw. Your doctor will decide if your skin needs to be frozen more than once during your visit but usually one freeze cycle is sufficient. Once at home, you make take some paracetamol as needed.
You may need more than one treatment and your doctor will see you again in 2-4 weeks.
▪ Pain: This treatment can be painful (especially the thawing stage) but it is usually well tolerated. However, depending on the size and location of your skin lesions your doctor may recommend a topical anaesthetic prior to treatment (eg. Emla cream).
Post-treatment care information
- After treatment, you may notice the area is a little red and sensitive. This is normal. Typically no special care is needed.
- It may become slightly sensitive and itchy after treatment, but you should avoid touching or picking at the lesion. The scab and scale will eventually fall off and the redness should resolve within a few days to 1-2 weeks.
- You can wash the area with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
- You should make sure the area is moisturised well with a good non-irritating emollient daily.
- There is no need to cover the area with a dressing unless it blisters or ulcerates
- You should make sure to keep the treated area away from direct sunlight and wear sunscreen on a regular basis.
- If the area becomes red, painful, warm to touch and/or if there is any pus/blistering/skin that does not heal, you should follow up immediately with your healthcare provider.
- If after the area has healed but the lesion did not improve, you should also follow up with your doctor.
Common, expected side effects
During cryotherapy, skin cells are frozen by the cold temperature and necrosis (cell death) can occur. Inflammation will typically occur after this and the body removes the dead cells via an immune response, which brings certain side effects:
- Within a few minutes of treatment – burning pain along with erythema (redness) and oedema (swelling). Pain killers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol could be helpful in this situation. Occasionally topical steroid can be used to settle down the inflammation.
- Hours later – blisters with clear or blood-stained discharge may form as a result of thermal shock. If the blister is tense it may need to be drained to relieve pain.
- 1-2 weeks after cryotherapy – Healing process occurs, and the treated area becomes sloughy and dries off.
- 2-4 weeks after treatment – Complete healing will occur around 1 month later.
Cryotherapy FAQs
What shall I do if I am worried about the treated area?
It can be normal for the treated area to feel sore and red for the first 7 days. To soothe this you can apply Vaseline to the area and you can take simple painkillers such as paracetamol if you are not allergic to them. If you are concerned about the area, or infection please contact your GP or practice Nurse so that it can be checked as you may need antibiotics.
Will it work and will I need more than one treatment?
This all depends on the type of lesion, where it is and how large it is. Sometimes thicker warts and verruca’s need 3-4 sessions to get to the root. If your lesion has not fully settled please see your doctor again so that they can advice you further if you haven’t already got a follow-up in place.
What are my alternatives to cryotherapy?
If you have a wart or verruca you could try applying some over-the-counter topical treatment to the lesion, such as Salicylate, you could also ask your doctor about the duct tape theory. If it is an area of sun-damaged skin (Actinic Keratoses) it may be suitable for some Topical treatment from your doctor such as Efudix or Piccato. There may also be the option for surgical removal, but it all depends on the lesion. Please discuss your alternatives with your doctor.
Are all skin-types suitable for cryotherapy?
Cryosurgery is not suitable for patients with dark skin because there is a risk of permanent hypopigmentation (area of skin lighter than your overall skin tone).
Start your healthcare journey
For more information, questions or queries, please email us or call 01872 392087.
