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Cryosurgery

What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that freezes skin lesions using extremely cold substances (cryogens). Liquid nitrogen, the most common cryogen, reaches temperatures of -320.8°F, while other cryogens include carbon dioxide snow (-109.3°F) and dimethyl ether and propane (DMEP, -70.6°F). Cryotherapy is a simple, cost-effective option that can be done quickly in an outpatient setting to treat certain skin conditions such as:

Actinic keratoses
Seborrheic keratoses
Viral warts
Molluscum contagiosum
Skin tags

Cryotherapy is Not Appropriate for:

Undiagnosed lesions
Melanoma
Dark-skinned patients
Lesions needing biopsy
Poorly circulated areas

How Cryotherapy Works

Intended damage occurs as the targeted cells burst during the thawing phase. Liquid nitrogen is often applied with a spray, probe, or applicator. The method and freeze time depend on the lesion's size, depth, and location. Additional freeze-thaw cycles may be used for deeper freezing.

Benefits and Disadvantages

Cryotherapy is simple and generally safe but may require multiple treatments. It’s effective for benign lesions like actinic keratoses and seborrheic keratoses, but is not usually effective for skin cancers.

Side Effects and Risks

Immediate effects may include pain, swelling, and blistering. Occasionally, blood blisters will develop in treated lesions, especially on the lower body. Delayed effects can include bleeding, ulceration, or scarring. Recurrence of lesions after 2-3 weeks of healing time should also prompt a return visit to clinic because these lesions may require further treatment.

Wound Care

Cryotherapy wounds should be washed with gentle soap and water one to two times per day, moistened with petrolatum/Vaseline, and covered with a bandage until completely healed. If blisters form, they should be left in place since they serve as “natural bandages.” Surgical sites and wounds from biopsies on the lower half of the body are ideally cleansed with dilute acetic acid soaks (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water dilution). Increasing pain, redness, or swelling 48 hours after treatment may be a sign of infection and warrant a return to clinic.

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Who We Are

Katherine Hunt, MD, FAAD

Dr. Hunt grew up in Hoover, Alabama and attended Hoover High School. She started her career in business and engineering at the University of Alabama.

As an undergraduate, she gained national attention and was named "USA Today National Academic All-Star" for creating a self-sustaining peer mentoring program which measurably improved students' computer science performance at Alabama.

Her extensive work experience at Huron Consulting Group and GE Healthcare helped her realize that she would be most fulfilled in the field of medicine, helping patients one-on-one.