Liquid Nitrogen Treatment for Actinic Keratosis

Cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen is used to treat skin lesions such as warts, seborrheic keratoses (age spots), brown spots/freckles, and actinic keratoses (precancers) among other things. 

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Following treatment with liquid nitrogen, you may notice pain, throbbing, and immediate redness and swelling around the treated area. At the time, swelling may become so intense that a blister forms at the site of the freezing treatment. Rarely, a blood blister may form, but will dry up and scab within a few days. This is a normal part of the healing process and the scab will fall off or heal within 1-2 weeks. The skin might be discolored at the treatment site, but normal color will return within 1-2 months. Cryotherapy does not cause scarring. 

Wound Care Instructions

1. There are no restrictions in your daily activities such as washing your face/hands, bathing or showering. 
2. Take Tylenol for any discomfort or pain. 
3. You may apply an ointment (such as Vaseline) to the area twice a day as needed. 
4. Protect the wound from the sun. 
5. If a blister forms that is uncomfortable, you can sterilize a needle with rubbing alcohol and pierce the side of the blister, allowing the fluid to drain out. Allow the roof of the blister to collapse onto the wound to act as a natural Band-Aid. 
6. If a precancerous spot was treated, please let us know immediately if the spot fails to resolve before your next appointment. If it does not respond to the treatment, you must return to the clinic in order to reevaluate. 

If you have any questions regarding this treatment, please feel free to call us at 713.952.8400.