Cryotherapy is the treatment of skin lesions using low temperatures. Most commonly liquid nitrogen is used in this process in order to freeze the lesion. Cryotherapy is most commonly used to treat viral warts, seborrhoeic keratoses, actinic keratoses and other benign lesions.​

What are Warts?

Warts are small growths that have a rough texture which appear anywhere on the body. There are different types of warts which include common warts, flat warts, pigmented warts and plantar warts. The growths occur when your skin is infected with one of the viruses associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. The virus triggers extra cell growth and this causes the outer layer of the skin to become thick and hard.

​What are Verrucas?

Verrucas (plantar warts) are small rough lumps which usually appear on the pressure points of the foot. Verrucas on pressure points of the foot can cause pain when walking, this could later lead to back and leg pain due to altered posture in an attempt to reduce the pain caused by a verruca.

​Treatment

Warts and verrucas can be treated at one of our minor surgery clinics. Most warts tend to disappear in 1 to 5 years without medical treatment, however, treatment is available for warts which are large, numerous, in sensitive areas or if they are cosmetically causing distress. The process involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart or verruca using a ‘cryogun’ or cotton swab and is relatively quick. Your skin may feel numb, hurt or blister but in almost all cases, patients are able to go home after completion.

Pain from cryotherapy can last up to 3 days, however healing is usually quick requiring 7-14 days and resulting in little or no scarring.

​Cryotherapy for warts or verrucas may require multiple follow up appointments for re-application. The treatment for warts and verrucas are not always completely effective and in some cases they may return following the treatment.

If you wish to have cryotherapy, book a consultation appointment with one of our minor surgeons today!

​