About Your Cryotherapy Treatment
Your doctor treated a skin lesion with liquid nitrogen today. This is called cryotherapy and is used for numerous conditions, most commonly warts, actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions), and seborrheic keratoses (benign growths). Liquid nitrogen freezes the skin lesion and a small surrounding area in an attempt to destroy the unwanted skin.
During treatment, it may burn or hurt, and continue to burn for several minutes after the lesion is treated. You can expect the discomfort to resolve completely within 30-60 minutes. Any residual pain or discomfort can be controlled with Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen.
Caring for Blisters
Within 24-48 hours after treatment, you may develop a small blister at the treated site. If the blister becomes tender in the first few days, you can wear a band-aid to protect it. However, most often you will not need to keep it covered.
If a large blister develops, it can be ‘popped’ with a sterile needle (use alcohol), but the blister roof should be left in place. This will protect the treated area and decrease the chance of infection, to help the area to heal with a better cosmetic outcome. Any sores that develop should be treated with vinegar and water soaks a couple of times a day (1 tablespoon of white vinegar mixed in a pint of water—soak a cloth and apply to the affected area for 5 minutes). This will decrease the chance of infection.
Daily Care & Healing
Gently wash the treated area daily with mild soap and water. Keep the treated areas covered with ointment (Vaseline, petroleum jelly, or Aquaphor) to help protect the area and encourage healing with a better cosmetic result. It typically takes from 7-14 days for the area to heal completely. Sun protection will also help the area to heal with the best cosmetic result possible.
Important Follow-Up
Remember, warts often require multiple treatments with liquid nitrogen to resolve completely. If a precancerous lesion (actinic keratosis) was treated, these should resolve completely. If a lesion persists 2-3 weeks after treatment, please call our office at 205-682-8022, as you may need to be re-treated.
