Cryotherapy Wart Removal
What is cryotherapy wart removal?
Cryotherapy Wart Removal Care Guide
- Cryotherapy is a procedure to treat your wart by freezing it. This is done by using cryogen (freezing chemical), commonly liquid nitrogen. A wart is a thickened lump (growth) caused by a virus (germ) called human papilloma virus or HPV. It may appear on any area of your skin. This includes your face, hands, fingers, feet, and genital area (penis, vagina, or anus). A wart may also occur on the tissue lining the inside of your genitals.
- You may need cryotherapy treatments every 1 to 4 weeks. You may need a total of 3 to 4 treatments to get rid of your wart. Your caregiver will tell you how many treatments you may need, and when you should have them. It may take 1 to 3 months for your wart to go away. Cryotherapy may also be used with other treatments, such as medicine, to treat your wart faster.
Do I need cryotherapy wart removal?
You may or may not choose to have your wart treated. If treatment is wanted, cryotherapy wart removal may work well for any of the following:
- A wart in or on your vagina while you are pregnant.
- A wart on an exposed area of the body, such as the hands or face.
- A wart that does not get better with medicine, or you cannot use medicines to treat your wart. Cryotherapy may also be used on a large wart that decreased in size after treatment with medicine.
- A wart that does not go away after many years, or increases in size or number.
- A wart that is causing symptoms such as pain, bleeding, itching, or a burning feeling.
- A wart that is small (less than 10 millimeter).
What happens during cryotherapy wart removal?
- Your caregiver may use numbing medicine to decrease any pain you may feel during the procedure. He may cut off the extra dead skin on your wart before using the cryogen. Your caregiver may use a cotton swab or spray to apply the cryogen to your wart. He may also use a cryoprobe which is a long, pointed device.
- Freezing of your wart is done for 5 to 60 seconds until it is completely covered with ice. The frozen tissue is then allowed to thaw slowly. Freezing and thawing of the wart may be repeated after a few minutes. How long the treatment takes will depend on the size of your wart and the area being treated. After treatment, you may see a small ring of ice around your wart. In a few weeks, the dead wart tissue may dry up and fall off.
What are the risks of having cryotherapy wart removal?
You may have pain while the cryogen is applied and right after. The treated skin may become red and swollen. You may develop a blister, scar, or an open sore at the treatment area. Cryotherapy may also cause your treated skin to lighten or darken. Sometimes, treatment of genital warts may cause pain that does not go away. Even after the procedure the wart may not completely clear, or may come back. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your procedure, medicine, or care.
What should I expect after having cryotherapy wart removal?
- Follow-ups: You will need to follow up with your caregiver often for repeat treatment. After your wart has cleared, you may need to visit your caregiver in 2 to 3 months. This allows your caregiver to check if your wart has come back. This also allows your caregiver to check and treat any problems caused by cryotherapy.
- Medicines: You may be given medicine to help decrease your pain. Your caregiver may also want you to put certain medicine on your wart to treat it faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to use this kind of medicine.
- Wound care: Your caregiver may want you to check your treated skin every day. Look for any signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Clean the treated area as directed by your caregiver.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
