What does cryotherapy consist of?

Cryotherapy, or cold treatment, is a therapeutic method that involves the use of very low temperatures to treat various health problems, including the removal of skin lesions. In dermatology, cryotherapy is primarily used to remove benign lesions, including warts, condylomas, pigmented nevi, and to treat certain skin cancers.

The cryotherapy treatment most often uses liquid nitrogen, which has a temperature of -196°C. It is applied directly to the lesion using a special device that sprays it in the form of tiny droplets or applies it spot-on. The extreme cold causes the cells to freeze, leading to their destruction.

After cryotherapy, tissues that have been frozen die and new, healthy ones are formed in their place. As a result of this process, the lesions simply fall off or fade away, and healthy skin forms in their place.

How does the cryotherapy treatment proceed?

Prior to treatment, a consultation with a specialist is necessary to assess the type and nature of the skin lesion and qualify it for cryotherapy treatment. In some cases, especially with viral warts, the lesion must be softened with a salicylic acid solution before treatment, which facilitates the freezing process.

Only at the next stage is liquid nitrogen applied to the designated area. The procedure usually takes a few to several seconds, depending on the size and type of lesion. During the application, the patient may feel a cold, burning or slight pinching sensation. In turn, redness, swelling or a fluid-filled blister at the application site may occur after the procedure. The skin lesion falls off over time, and the skin heals within a few days to two weeks.

What are the contraindications to cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is not recommended for:

• cold hypersensitivity, 
• Peripheral circulation disorders, 
• severe heart disease, 
• inflammation at the treatment site, 
• Raynaud's syndrome (a condition that causes paroxysmal contractions of small blood vessels, usually in the fingers and toes, leading to their temporary bruising, blanching or numbness. It is triggered by factors such as cold, stress or emotional changes, and the circulation returns to normal after the attack subsides), 
• Sudeck's syndrome (also known as complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS - a chronic condition that most often develops after an injury, such as a broken bone. It is characterized by severe pain, swelling, skin lesions and impaired motor function in the injured limb. Lesions may involve the skin, blood vessels and nerves), 
• pregnancy and breastfeeding, 
• active cancer, 
• open skin infection, 
• active viral skin disease
• The tendency to form scars,
• Wound healing disorders,
• Taking medications that affect blood clotting,
• For pigmented lesions suspected of being cancerous.

Recommendations after cryotherapy treatment

After cryotherapy, for several days, it is advisable to avoid direct exposure of the procedure area to the sun and use creams with a high UV filter to reduce the risk of discoloration. For swelling or pain, cold compresses work well, but not directly on the skin so as not to aggravate it. It's better to use dedicated compresses available at the pharmacy with the proper protection of a gel pad. Avoid scratching or rubbing the treated areas to avoid infecting the wounds. If you have any worrisome symptoms (such as severe redness, swelling or wound exudate), contact your healthcare provider. The effects of cryotherapy are visible only after a few days, when the skin begins to peel and the treatment site has fully healed.