Cryotherapy for seborrheic keratosis

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Cryotherapy for seborrheic keratosis

Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold, in the form of liquid nitrogen, to remove a skin growth. Cryotherapy is the preferred removal treatment for most seborrheic keratoses¹ It is effective for flat or slightly raised growths, but may not work well for thicker growths. It is an effective way to remove clusters of seborrheic keratoses.²

This simple procedure usually takes less than a minute and can be done in your doctor's office. Your doctor applies the liquid nitrogen using a probe or a cotton swab, or sprays the liquid nitrogen directly onto the skin growth.

Cryotherapy can cause moderate pain that can last up to 3 days. Healing is generally quick (7 to 14 days). Expect a blister to develop within hours after treatment. The blister will dry up over the next few days, and the keratosis should fall off.

Cryotherapy causes little or no scarring, though some people, particularly those with darker skin, experience permanent skin color lightening. Talk to your doctor to determine whether cryotherapy is right for you.

References

Citations

1. Silver SG, Ho VCY (2003). Seborrheic keratosis. In IM Freedberg et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 6th ed., vol. 1, pp. 767–770. New York: McGraw-Hill.

2. Andrews MD (2004). Cryosurgery for common skin conditions. American Family Physician, 69(10): 2365–2372. Also available online: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040515/2365.html.

Credits

Last updated:	March 16, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC