Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves the use of low temperatures for the routine removal of skin lesions, warts and unsightly skin tags.
With the CryoPen, a high level of accuracy is achieved by simply pointing the micro-fine jet of cryogen onto the lesion, ensuring avoidance of healthy tissue.
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Start from £110.00 Initial assessment and treatment
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From £70.00 Subsequent appointments
For further information please contact the surgery on 0121 454 9535
What is cryotherapy?
The term ‘cryotherapy’ literally means ‘treatment using low temperature’, and refers to the removal of skin lesions by freezing them. The most common agent used by doctors is liquid nitrogen.
What is liquid nitrogen?
Liquid nitrogen is the liquid state of gaseous nitrogen, which occupies 78% of the air we breathe. Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold, boiling at minus 196°c. It is necessary to store and transport it in special flasks.
What conditions can be treated with cryotherapy?
A wide variety of superficial benign lesions can be treated with cryotherapy, but it is most commonly used to remove viral warts, actinic keratoses (an area of sun-damaged skin found predominantly on sun-exposed parts of the body), viral warts, seborrhoeic keratoses and other benign lesions. Some types of skin cancers such a superficial basal cell carcinoma and Bowen’s disease can also be treated with using cryotherapy.
What does the procedure involve?
Cryotherapy is done during the course of a routine out-patient consultation with your dermatologist, or by your general practitioner or their nurse, without any special preparation.
Whilst liquid nitrogen is usually applied to the skin by using a spray gun, a metal probe or a cotton bud can sometimes be used instead of the spray gun.
Cryotherapy does not normally require a local anaesthetic, and the procedure itself lasts a matter of seconds; the precise time depending on the thickness and size of the lesion. The frozen skin becomes white and takes one to two minutes to thaw to normal skin temperature. Your doctor may suggest that the process is repeated once the skin has thawed out.
Over the succeeding few days, a scab will form, and this will take one to two weeks (and occasionally a little longer, especially on the legs) to come away. Usually, the treated area will eventually look normal, although scarring and discolouration is possible, particularly on the legs.
Depending on the nature of the lesion, more than one treatment may be necessary, and this is usually repeated at regular intervals.
How should the treated area be cared for?
Your doctor will explain how s/he would like you to care for the treated areas. It is usually suggested that they are kept dry until a scab forms, and your doctor may suggest that Vaseline is applied. If wetted the scabs should be patted dry with a soft towel or tissue.
It is important not to pick at the scab as this will encourage scarring. A dressing or plaster is not usually necessary, but may be advisable if the treated area is prone to being traumatized or rubbed by clothing.
What are the side effects of this treatment?
Immediate side effects:
- Pain - cryotherapy is usually well-tolerated, but can sometimes be painful if a deep freeze has been necessary (i.e. to treat a basal cell carcinoma). This discomfort can occur both at the time of treatment and for a variable time thereafter. Painkillers (such as paracetamol) taken for the first 24 hours may relieve that discomfort; also taking an analgesic an hour or so prior to anticipated treatment can reduce the discomfort.
- Swelling and redness - this is a normal immediate response to freezing the skin, and usually settles after two to three days; your doctor may apply a steroid ointment to the treated area to reduce this. For a short while the treated area may ooze a little. Cryotherapy close to the eyes may induce prominent puffiness of the lower eyelids which settles within days.
- Blistering - this is also a common consequence of cryotherapy and blisters settle after a few days as the scab forms. Some people blister more easily than others and the development of blisters does not necessarily mean that the skin has been frozen too much. Occasionally the blisters may become filled with blood; this is harmless and only if a blister was very uncomfortable would it be necessary to puncture it, using a sterile needle.
- Infection - uncommonly, infection can occur, resulting in increased pain and the formation of pus: this may require topical antiseptic or antibiotic therapy.
Subsequent side effects:
- Scarring - rarely, a scar will form, especially if a deep freeze has been necessary (i.e. to treat a basal cell carcinoma).
- Pigmentation changes - the skin at and around the treatment site may lighten or darken in colour, especially in dark-skinned people. This usually improves with time, but may be permanent.
- Numbness - if a superficial nerve is frozen, it may result in numbness of the area of skin supplied by that nerve. Normal feeling usually returns within a matter of months.
- Treatment may not be effective, or the condition may recur.
