Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) is a cold, liquefied gas with a temperature of -196oC (-321oF). It is used to freeze and destroy superficial skin growths, such as warts and keratoses. LN2 causes stinging and mild pain while the growth is being frozen. The discomfort lasts less than five minutes.
Some hours after LN2 treatment, your skin will become swollen and red; later it may blister, then a scab (crust) will form. It will fall off by itself in one to three weeks. The skin growth will come off along with the scab, leaving healthy new skin.
If your growth required deep freezing, usually done to warts, there may be considerable blistering and swelling, especially if your hands or eyelids were treated. The blisters and swelling are part of the treatment, and will gradually heal by themselves. If a wart was treated and a blister forms, pop it with a sharp, sterile pin and keep the area clean with soap and water and apply Vaseline.
If pre-cancers (AK) or Seborrheic Keratoses (SK) were treated, no special care is needed. If a blister forms, do not pop it. You can wash your skin as usual and use cosmetics. If clothing irritates the area, you may cover it with a bandage.
The treatment may need to be repeated and sometimes more aggressive treatment modalities maybe necessary if LN treatment fails. Treatment may leave a white or brown mark, and occasionally, a scar.
If there is persistent roughness / scaling after 3 weeks, the area may require another treatment. The sooner the therapy is repeated, the greater the chance of cure.
Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns related to your Liquid Nitrogen treatment.