Skin Cryosurgery
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 7, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about skin cryosurgery:
Skin cryosurgery, or cryotherapy, is a procedure to treat a skin lesion by freezing it. A skin lesion is a growth on your skin. Cryosurgery uses a cold substance, usually liquid nitrogen, to kill the lesion without damaging nearby healthy skin. You may need cryosurgery more than 1 time to remove all the lesion. This depends on the type of lesion, how large or deep it is, and how long you had it.
How to prepare for skin cryosurgery:
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare. You may be told not to use lotion, makeup, or other items near the lesion on surgery day.
- Tell your provider about all your current medicines. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the procedure, and when to stop. You will be told which medicines to take or not take on the day of the procedure.
- Tell your provider if you have a medical condition that makes your body react to cold temperature. This includes cold urticaria, Raynaud disease, or cryoglobulinemia. Tell your provider if you had cryosurgery and if you had problems after the procedure.
- You may need to have blood tests, imaging tests, or a biopsy. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about these and other tests you may need.
What will happen during skin cryosurgery:
- Your healthcare provider may use a medical marker on or near your skin lesion. These marks help show how much of your skin should be treated. Your provider may scrape the top of your lesion. A cold substance will be applied with a cotton swab or spray. A gel and a cryoprobe may also be used. A cryoprobe is a long, pointed tool that is placed on your skin lesion.
- The cold substance is left on for 5 to 30 seconds, until a halo of ice forms around your lesion. Your provider may check the temperature inside your lesion by inserting a needle with a thermometer. The frozen lesion will slowly thaw out. Freezing and thawing may be repeated. The skin cells start to die when they are frozen.
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What to expect after skin cryosurgery:
A bandage will cover your lesion area to keep it clean and dry. Your lesion area may heal in 4 to 6 weeks. Larger areas may take as long as 14 weeks to heal.
Risks of skin cryosurgery:
- You may have discomfort, burning, or pain during and after your skin cryosurgery. Your skin may be red or swollen, or a blister may form. Your skin may bleed, or you may get an infection. If cryosurgery was done to treat a lesion on your face, you may have a headache after the procedure.
- The treated skin may take longer than expected to heal, and you may get a scar. A new lesion may grow in the same area. You may need cryosurgery again. Your nerves may be damaged and your skin may be numb. Skin cryosurgery may also cause your treated skin to get lighter or darker or to lose hair.
Call your doctor or dermatologist if:
- Your lesion area is red, swollen, and hot to touch.
- Your lesion area is draining yellow or green fluid.
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- You have a fever or chills.
- You have severe pain.
- You see new lesions on your skin.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- Medicines may be needed to decrease redness, pain, and swelling, or to prevent a bacterial infection.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Care for your lesion area as directed:
Carefully wash your lesion area with soap and water. It may have loose crusts. Dampen a piece of gauze with hydrogen peroxide and gently remove them. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty.
Follow up with your doctor or dermatologist as directed:
You may need to return to have your skin checked. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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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.
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