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Granskad av Dr Philippa Vincent, MRCGPSenast uppdaterad av Dr Rosalyn Adleman, MRCGPSenast uppdaterad 8 Apr 2025

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Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold. It will freeze any living tissue it comes into contact with. Applying small amounts of liquid nitrogen to various skin problems is now a standard treatment. The medical term for this treatment is cryotherapy.

Överblick

  • Liquid nitrogen is used to treat skin problems like warts, verrucas, and skin tags.

  • The treatment involves applying cold liquid to the affected area for 10-30 seconds.

  • Most people find liquid nitrogen treatment uncomfortable but bearable.

  • After treatment, the treated area may become red and swollen, and a blister might form.

  • The treated area usually discolours, falls off, and new skin grows underneath.

  • Some thicker skin problems may need more than one treatment session.

Denna sammanfattning har automatiskt genererats från artikelns innehåll för att hjälpa läsarna att snabbt förstå huvudpunkterna.

What is liquid nitrogen used for?

Liquid nitrogen treats:

These are ideal for liquid nitrogen treatment.

Is liquid nitrogen treatment painful?

Applications usually last about 10-30 seconds. Try holding a cube of ice against your skin for 10-30 seconds. It is uncomfortable but usually not too painful. Liquid nitrogen applied to skin is similar but colder and most people find the discomfort quite bearable.

What can I expect from liquid nitrogen treatment?

  • After a liquid nitrogen treatment, the lump, wart or whatever is being treated will gradually discolour and fall off.

  • The surrounding skin will sometimes become red and swollen and be sore for a day or so. It is similar to a mild burn.

  • Occasionally a blister (sometimes a 'blood blister') forms. If this happens, it is best to pop it with a clean pin and apply a plaster.

  • New skin quickly forms and any scab or blister will soon disappear. The appearance of the skin afterwards is usually good.

Does liquid nitrogen treatment always work?

Usually, it does. However, sometimes thicker warts or verrucas need two or more sessions of liquid nitrogen treatment over a period of a few weeks to get to the root.

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Vanliga frågor

What is the typical aftercare for the treated area following liquid nitrogen application?

After a liquid nitrogen treatment, the treated area will gradually discolour, and the growth will eventually fall off. The skin around the treated spot may become red, swollen, and sore for about a day, similar to a mild burn. Sometimes, a blister, which can occasionally be a 'blood blister', might form. If a blister appears, it's recommended to pop it with a clean pin and cover it with a plaster. New skin will form quickly, and any scab or blister will disappear, usually leaving the skin with a good appearance.

How long does it take for the treated growth to fall off after liquid nitrogen treatment?

Following liquid nitrogen treatment, the lump, wart, or other growth will gradually discolour and then fall off as the healing process progresses.

Are there any specific types of skin growths that are not suitable for liquid nitrogen treatment?

The article specifies that liquid nitrogen is ideal for treating warts and verrucas, skin tags, small fleshy growths, and similar small 'lumps and bumps' on the skin. It does not mention any types of growths that are unsuitable.

How quickly does the skin recover after a liquid nitrogen treatment?

New skin forms quickly after the treatment. Any scab or blister that may have developed will soon disappear, and the treated area typically heals well, resulting in a good appearance of the skin.

Dessa frågor och svar har genererats från informationen i denna artikel.

Vidare läsning och referenser

  • Kwok CS, Gibbs S, Bennett C, et al; Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;9:CD001781. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001781.pub3.
  • Macaulay D; Liquid nitrogen for cryotherapy. Br J Gen Pract. 2012 Nov;62(604):572. doi: 10.3399/bjgp12X658214.

Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Dr Rosalyn Adleman, MRCGP

MRCGP

Dr Rosalyn Adleman, is an NHS GP working in north London.

Om recensentenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Dr Philippa Vincent, MRCGP

Allmänläkare, Medicinsk Författare

MB BS, Bsc, MRCGP (2000), DCH, DFSRH, DRCOG

Dr Philippa Vincent är en NHS-läkare som arbetar i norra London.

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