Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen is a cold, liquefied gas with a temperature of 196⁰ below zero Celsius (-321⁰ Fahrenheit).  It is used to freeze and destroy superficial skin growths such as warts and keratoses in a procedure known as cryosurgery.  This treatment can produce pain, causing a temporary stinging sensation and slight tenderness for the first 24 – 48 hours after treatment.  This is a normal response.  Aspirin or Tylenol will help any discomfort.  

Several hours after the skin growths are treated with liquid nitrogen, the skin will become swollen and red, and blistering may occur.  Soon after, a crust will form.  This crust, along with the treated skin growth, will fall off by itself in 1-3 weeks.  Once removed, healthy skin will be exposed in the place where the growth one was.  The new skin may be red, but this coloration will gradually fade.  Occasionally a permanent white mark may be left after healing.  

If your skin lesion required deep freezing (prolonged freeze time) to remove, there may be considerable blistering and swelling, especially if you hand or eyelids were treated.  The blisters and swelling are a normal response to the treatment and are expected.  They will gradually heal by themselves. 

Lesions treated by cryosurgery should be cleansed gently twice a day, avoiding applying products or performing activities that may irritate the lesion.  If the lesion is healing well without irritation, you are free to continue your normal routine.  You may want to cover the area with a bandage if it will be subject to friction.  Applying Vaseline over the treated areas may help them heal more quickly. 

Cryosurgery may not always be successful at completely removing skin growths on the first attempt.  Thicker lesions may require more that one treatment.  If the growth is still present 4 weeks after it was treated, please make a return appointment.