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Home » Topics A–Z » Cryotherapy
Author: Dr Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1997.
Cryotherapy refers to a treatment in which surface skin lesions are frozen.
Cryogens used to freeze skin lesions include:
Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy equipment
Lesions that may be treated by cryotherapy include:
Specialist dermatologists sometimes freeze small skin cancers such as superficial basal cell and in situ squamous cell carcinoma (intraepidermal carcinoma), but this is not always successful, so careful follow-up is necessary.
Freezing may be the most suitable way of getting rid of many different kinds of surface skin lesion. It is relatively inexpensive, safe, and reliable. However, it is important that the skin lesion has been properly diagnosed. It should not be used to treat melanoma or any undiagnosed pigmented lesion that could be melanoma.
Cryotherapy stings and may be painful, at the time and for a variable period afterwards.
Cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen involves the use of a cryospray, cryoprobe or a cotton-tipped applicator. The nitrogen is applied to the skin lesion for a few seconds or longer, depending on the type of lesion and the diameter and the depth of freeze. The treatment is repeated in some cases, once thawing has completed. This is known as a ‘double freeze-thaw’.
Cryotherapy procedure
Carbon dioxide cryotherapy involves making a cylinder of frozen carbon dioxide snow or a slush combined with acetone. It is applied directly to the skin lesion.
DMEP comes in an aerosol can available over the counter. It is used to treat warts using a foam applicator pushed onto the skin lesion for between 10 and 40 seconds, depending on its size and site.
Immediate effects of cryotherapy
Immediate swelling and redness may be reduced by applying a topical steroid on a single occasion straight after freezing. Aspirin orally may also reduce the inflammation and discomfort.
The treated area is likely to blister within a few hours, depending on the depth and duration of the freeze. Sometimes the blister contains clear fluid and sometimes it is red or purple because of bleeding (this is harmless). Treatment near the eye may result in a puffy eyelid, especially the following morning, but the swelling settles within a few days. Within a few days, a scab forms and the blister gradually dries up.
Usually, no special attention is needed during the healing phase. The treated area may be gently washed once or twice daily and should be kept clean. A dressing is optional but is advisable if the affected area is subject to trauma or clothes rub on it.
When the blister dries to a scab, apply petroleum jelly and avoid picking at the scab. The scab peels off after 5–10 days on the face and 3 weeks on the hand. A sore or scab may persist as long as 3 months on the lower leg because healing in this site is often slow.
Delayed effects of cryotherapy
After a standard freeze of actinic keratosis, seborrhoeic keratosis, or viral wart, the skin may appear entirely normal without any sign of the original skin lesion. It may take several treatments to achiev.e this
The main concern is secondary wound infection, but this is uncommon. Infection may cause increased pain, swelling, thick yellow blister fluid, purulent discharge and/or redness around the treated area. Consult your doctor if you are concerned: topical antiseptics and/or oral antibiotics may be necessary.
Other undesirable effects may include:
Complications of cryotherapy
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