willow tree family doctors

Information about Warts, Verrucas and our Cryotherapy Service

What is it and what do we do?

Cryotherapy – freezing therapy – is the process of deep-freezing various sorts of lumps, bumps and warts to try and get rid of them.

We apply liquid nitrogen from a spray-flask to create an ice-ball around the lesion (the lump or wart) then let it thaw and repeat the process. This damages the cells we wish to destroy and some time later the lesion should die and peel away or fall off; usually after a few days or a couple of weeks. We are really creating an area of frostbite.

It sounds painful

The process can be mildly painful and you may experience it as a burning or stinging sensation. A few minutes later this will change to a throb which is not usually too bad but may last a few hours. If we are treating verrucas, walking may be painful for a day or two. Taking paracetamol before you come may help reduce the pain.

Are there any side effects?

Usually you cannot tell where the lesion was but sometimes a pale flat scar may result, maybe more visible on dark skin.

Rarely you might develop a blood blister after the treatment or a small ulcer at the cryotherapy site. These should heal soon.

Normally no special care is needed after cryotherapy, just keep the area clean and dry and don’t use make-up or cream until it is healed. Pat dry after washing.

Are all lesions and people suitable? Because of the pain, we prefer not to use cryotherapy on children age 6 and under. We cannot do it on those suffering from Raynaud’s disease and those with Immune Disorders who may develop infections easily. In dark skinned people, pale scars may develop and we cannot do it on those who develop keloid scars If you have large or numerous lesions you may require several treatments so the Doctor may ask you to come back. Like all things in medicine, the treatment is not guaranteed to always work and some warts can be very stubborn, requiring many goes. Not all types of lesion are treatable by cryotherapy; the Doctor will advise you, so be prepared to be offered a different or even no treatment.

How to treat your warts and verrucas before you come for cryotherapy

It helps the freezing process a lot if you have removed some of the hard skin first. You can do this by applying a preparation such as Salactol or Duofilm (available cheaply at the chemist) after filing down the hard skin each night with an emery board or pumice. Don’t worry if it bleeds a little - this means you are doing a good job! After many days or even weeks you will have reduced the hard, dead skin and the cryotherapy will be more effective.