Cryotherapy is a very effective solution for some skin problems. Cryotherapy is a method of using freezing temperatures — the name literally means cold therapy — for medical treatment. Today, cryotherapy is used to facilitate healing and get rid of benign skin lesions. In treating skin lesions, the physician utilizes liquid nitrogen to carry out treatment by freezing it in an effort to destroy abnormal tissue. Cryotherapy works on external tissue that appears on the skin’s surface.
The procedure has a high success rate and has been used for over a century to treat patients with various skin ailments including patches of abnormal tissue that could potentially become skin cancer later down the road.
Cryotherapy for Skin Conditions
Doctors have used cryotherapy to treat various skin conditions, including warts and benign growths such as abnormal tissue (actinic keratoses). Warts are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). While they are harmless, they can look unsightly. Fortunately, they are easy to remove with cryotherapy. Actinic keratoses refers to rough and scaly patches that form on the skin due to extended sun exposure. These patches are most common on the face, hands, arms, scalp, and neck.
To perform the procedure, a doctor will apply liquid nitrogen of really low temperatures to the affected area. You may be given a local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable throughout treatment. The liquid nitrogen essentially destroys the abnormal skin tissue, and it comes right off. You will be left with a wound in the place of treatment. Your physician will likely apply an antibiotic and bandage the wound. The treatment area should completely heal in about three to six weeks. Temporary effects include skin irritation, redness, numbness, and tingling. However, the effects are temporary and should go away in a few hours or days. If you notice prolonged redness, pain, pus, or other symptoms in the wound, see your doctor immediately. This could mean you have an infection.
What makes cryotherapy a good treatment for skin lesions is that it avoids damaging the surrounding area of the skin, which leads to minimal scarring. Cryotherapy can be performed in a doctor’s office so it’s convenient and simple for you to get done. Cryotherapy is also a virtually painless procedure because doctors can apply a numbing agent or local anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable and relaxed during treatment.
Cryotherapy for Skin Problems in Denton and Frisco, Texas
At Star Medical Associates, we offer cryotherapy services to our patients who wish to remove their warts and actinic keratoses patches. Our internal medicine physicians are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Our comprehensive medical services include diagnostic services, physical exams, disease management, and prevention and wellness.
To find out if the procedure is right for you, call the Star Medical Associates clinic in Denton at (940) 382-6900 or in Frisco at (469) 301-2300 for a consultation or request an appointment now. Our friendly, caring, and compassionate staff are happy to assist you and provide the highest quality care in Texas.
