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Skin Cryosurgery

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Cryosurgery (CRY-o-SIR-jer-ee) gets rid of abnormal or diseased tissue by freezing it, usually with liquid nitrogen. Growths on the skin such as warts, moles, and some kinds of skin cancer are often removed with cryosurgery. In most cases, liquid nitrogen is put on the growth with a large cotton-tipped swab until freezing destroys it. Sometimes liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the area. Shortly after the procedure, the treated area becomes red and swollen, and within 2 or 3 days, a blister forms over it. The blister, which may contain a small amount of blood, will break by itself in about 2 weeks, and may leave a scab. After the area is totally healed, you should have little or no scarring.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

  • Keep the treated area dry and covered with a bandage for 2 or 3 days. If the bandage gets wet, change it right away.
  • After the blister forms, do not pick at it or try to break it open. This could cause an infection or leave a scar.
  • Do not put any medicine, creams, or lotions on the area.

Call Your Doctor If...

  • Pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or bleeding in the treated area gets worse.
  • The blister on the treated area becomes large and painful.
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