Cryotherapy: What is it?
Cryotherapy is a quick, effective, and non-invasive treatment for skin lesions. In this article, we will discuss how it works, its risks and benefits, and aftercare.
How Does Cryotherapy Work?
Cryotherapy involves the application of liquid nitrogen, usually by a spray gun (or a cotton swab) directly to the affected skin area. The liquid nitrogen freezes the targeted area, causing a controlled burn that destroys the lesion. The treatment is most commonly used to address skin issues such as:
Warts and verrucas
Seborrheic warts
Sun-damaged areas (solar keratoses)
Small non-cancerous lumps and bumps
The procedure typically lasts between 10 to 30 seconds and is bearable for most people.
How Does It Work?
Cryotherapy delivers a carefully controlled freeze to the lesion. The cold burn causes inflammation, which helps destroy the unwanted tissue. After treatment, the area may become red, swollen, and sometimes form a blister. Over the following days, this blister dries up, and a small scab forms. This scab will naturally fall off after about 10 days to a month, depending on the size of the lesion, taking the damaged cells with it.
Benefits of Cryotherapy
Quick and simple: Most treatments take only a few minutes and can be performed during a routine appointment at your local clinic.
Non-invasive: Unlike surgery, cryotherapy doesn’t require cutting into the skin. This reduces recovery time.
Effective: For many patients, cryotherapy can remove the lesion entirely, eliminating the need for more invasive procedures like surgery.
Potential Side Effects
While cryotherapy is quite safe, there are some potential side effects that are worth a mention:
Partial removal: In some cases, the lesion may not be fully destroyed after one session and may require additional treatments.
Skin color changes: After healing, the treated area might appear lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, especially in people with darker skin tones.
Scarring: There is a small risk of scarring, although this is rare.
Infection: It is essential to monitor the area closely during the healing process to look out for signs of infection.
Aftercare advice
After your cryotherapy session, it’s important to follow these aftercare guidelines to ensure the best healing outcome:
Keep the area dry: While it’s best to avoid getting the area wet, don’t worry if it does—just gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
Avoid products: Don’t use soap, creams, or lotions on the treated area while it heals. Once healed, you may use an unperfumed moisturizer like E45 to soothe the skin.
Pain management: If the area feels sore, you can take a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol, to manage discomfort.
Blister care: If a blister forms, keep the area clean and dry. If it becomes uncomfortable, use a clean needle to release the fluid, then cover it with a dry dressing.
Do not pick the scab: Allow the scab to fall off naturally to avoid scarring.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Contact Bredbury Medical Centre if you experience any of the following after treatment:
Excessive pain or discomfort
Increased redness or swelling
Blistering beyond the initial days after treatment
The lesion does not dry up or heal as expected
Cryotherapy offers a simple, quick solution for many common skin lesions. If you’re dealing with warts, sun damage, or other skin conditions, speak to your GP at Bredbury Medical Centre to see if cryotherapy could be right for you.