What to expect after cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen spray)

 

First 20 minutes - It stings!

It is a treatment for warts that is commonly used to treat kids so most adults can handle it, however, multiple zaps or getting frozen on the face can be a challenge. The frozen area will be sore for 10-20 minutes after the procedure and will become red a swollen.

 

First few days - it blisters

A blister may develop and occasionally this will be blood-filled, which is harmless. Blisters are best left alone, but can be burst with a sterile needle if they are uncomfortable.

 

Days 2 to 5 following treatment - it weeps

The area may become moist. If the weeping is mild, leave it open to the air rather than trying to cover it closely with tight clothing or dressings. You can safely wash the area with water and a mild soap substitute (avoid body wash and soap). If the weeping is excessive, try to cover the area with a dressing. Bathing with salt solution (1 teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water) may help.

 

The next few days (Day 4-14 approximately) - it scabs

The frozen area may stop weeping and a scab may form.  You can apply Vaseline to the scab to help it soften up and come away gently. The target lesion e.g. wart, seborrheic keratosis, solar keratosis etc will hopefully fall off during this time also.

 

If the cryotherapy was done to treat an actual cancer (e.g. superficial BCC or intraepithelial carcinoma) the freezing is much more intense and should lead to a much more severe reaction which will take longer to heal and will often leave a scar unlike a gentler freeze which often is scarless.

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Day 7 - 21 - it gets better

If the target lesion doesn’t fall off or grows back please come back so we can finish the job.