Wart removal clinic
What does a cryotherapy treatment involve?
We apply liquid nitrogen directly to the wart using a Cry-Ac unit, which delivers the liquid nitrogen as a spray. (We use a Q-Tip to apply it around the nose, mouth and eyes.) A blister will form over the area anywhere from 2 to 24 hours after the treatment, and you may notice some redness and swelling. The blister may be painful or itchy. There may be some blood in the blister fluid – you shouldn’t be alarmed by this.
The blistered area will flatten, crust over and eventually fall off, taking the wart with it. It should be completely healed in 7-14 days. You may notice some temporary loss of pigmentation, but there is usually no permanent scarring.
If the entire wart is not destroyed, it will grow back. That’s why it’s very important that you continue with follow-up appointments once we’ve done the treatment. We may re-treat it, depending on the size and location of your wart. On average, hand warts may take up to 4 to 6 sessions to clear, plantar warts 6 to 10 sessions and facial warts may take multiple treatments. Some patients have very resistant warts that can take months to clear.
Does it hurt?
After the liquid nitrogen is applied, you may feel a stinging, burning sensation, which peaks during thawing (about two minutes after the treatment is over. Most patients don’t require local anesthetic, but we do offer topical anesthetic creams or gels if you would like to dull the area somewhat. Once the blister forms over the wart, it may be painful or itchy. A topical antibiotic like Polysporin can help.
How does liquid nitrogen get rid of warts?
The blister formation kills the wart by cutting off its blood supply. The same treatment is also used to remove growths such as skin tags, benign keratoses, dermatofibromas, pre-skin cancers, and even some superficial skin cancers.
What others treatments are used?
Liquid nitrogen can be combined with other products or the products may be used alone. Dr. Tony Nield will decide which options are best for you. Salicylic acid can be applied in various concentrations to help peel off the outer layers of skin in which the wart virus is residing. Canthrone® is a solution that can only be applied by a medical doctor. It causes a blister to form under the wart, lifting it off. Aldara® is a prescription antiviral agent that may be prescribed. Please call our office to arrange for a consult.
