One way doctors can remove warts is by freezing them. This is also known as cryotherapy. During treatment, a doctor directly applies liquid nitrogen, a very cold substance, to the warts. This causes the warts to freeze off.
Read on to learn about cryotherapy, including how it compares to other treatments for warts, what the procedure is like, and the recovery process.
What types of warts can be treated by freezing?
Most warts that aren’t in the genital area can be treated using cryotherapy. Research suggests that cryotherapy may be particularly effective in treating warts of the hand, even when compared to traditional topical creams. Cryotherapy may also be helpful in treating plantar warts on feet.
Who’s a good candidate for this type of treatment?
You may be a good candidate if over-the-counter (OTC) treatments like salicylic acid haven’t successfully treated your warts. Cryotherapy may also be a good option if you want to quickly treat your wart.
People who are sensitive to pain, such as young children and the elderly, may have difficulty with the procedure.
What happens during this procedure?
Cryotherapy can usually be done at your doctor’s office. During the procedure, your doctor cuts your wart with a small, sharp knife. Then they apply the freezing substance with a cotton swab or spray. Liquid nitrogen is usually used as the freezing substance, though carbon dioxide may also be used.
Cryotherapy may hurt. In some cases, your doctor may apply a local anesthetic to your wart to avoid causing pain during the treatment. The procedure doesn’t take much time. For larger warts, you may need follow-up sessions to reapply cryotherapy to those warts.
Can you freeze them at home?
Cryotherapy involving liquid nitrogen should only be performed by a healthcare professional.
You may be able to use an OTC product, such as Compound W Freeze Off or Freeze Away Easy Wart Remover, to treat smaller warts at home. These kits use a mixture of propane mixed in dimethyl ether. Typically, a foam applicator is soaked with this mixture. You apply the applicator directly to your wart. Remember to follow all instructions carefully for optimal results and minimal pain.
Read more: healthline.com
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