DCCS Derm and Minor Surgery/Vasectomy Clinic NHS
A community service
Commissioned with NHS Cambridgeshire
GP Specialists
Office hours:
Telephone:
Dr Paolo Fargnoli
Email: capccg.communitydermatology@nhs.net
Dr Anna Trigell
Dr Tim Mears
09.00-17.00 hrs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
09.00-13.00 hrs Thursday
01480 813969
Fax: 01480 810745
Main Site:
DCCS
Buckden Surgery
Mayfield, Buckden
St Neots, Cambs PE19 5SZ
Other Localities include:
Eaton Socon, Huntingdon, St Ives and
Warboys
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET – CARE OF SKIN AFTER CRYOTHERAPY
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is carefully controlled local freezing to destroy a skin lesion.
What does it involve?
Your wart/verucca/skin lump has been treated by freezing it with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).
When liquid nitrogen is applied to the skin, it will deep-freeze it. Some stinging will become
apparent during the treatment and continue through the thawing process. It usually settles
within a few minutes.
What to expect after treatment and what needs to be done about it?
After treatment, there will be redness and swelling in the treated area; the degree of swelling
will depend on the site and duration of freezing. If the area is very sore you may take
Paracetamol in the recommended dosage, as necessary. The redness and swelling usually
lasts for only a few days.
Sometimes a blister may form just as with a hot burn (blood in a blister is not concerning). If it
does, and becomes uncomfortable use a clean needle to release fluid. A smear of antiseptic
cream (eg Savlon) may then be applied twice a day to reduce the very small risk of infection.
The treated area may weep and then form a scab. It may also be treated with an antiseptic
cream, as is the case for a mild burn or scald. The scab will normally come off within 10-16
days.
If you have had a wart treated, the treatment may be sufficient to loosen it but you may need to
lift it off to make sure that it does not become reattached as the skin repairs itself. Once the
wart has come off, it may leave a crust behind.
It will normally take between ten days and three weeks for the skin to heal, although for certain
skin conditions, particularly affecting the legs, healing may take longer. Once healing has
occurred, the skin may appear pink or pale for some months.
If any change should occur that has not been explained by the above, please contact your
family doctor.
References:
Dawber R (1997): Benign Lesions In: Dawber R Clover G Jackson A (Eds): Cutaneous Cryosurgery, Principles and Clinical Practice. 2nd
Ed, London Martin Dunitz
Burge S (1996) Cryotherapy In: Burge S Clover G Lester R (eds): Simple Skin Surgery. 2nd Ed, Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford
Chalmar RJG (1992): Warts, Treatment with Liquid Nitrogen Patient Information Leaflet, Manchester Salford Hospital J>C Sterling, SH Jones,
PM Hudson (1999) Management of Cutaneous Warts, British Association of Dermatology London
Stewart K (1998): How to perform cryosurgery for warts. British Journal of Dermatology Nursing Autumn 8-9
Derm Clinics/Drawer Stationery/Skin Care after Cryo – 15.6.2010– Version 1