Cryotherapy at Edinburgh Hospital
- Overview
Learn how cryotherapy freezes and removes abnormal tissue, from skin lesions to tumours, including what to expect, recovery and risks, from Nuffield Health.
Cryotherapy for skin lesions and sun spots
Cryotherapy is also a treatment for skin lesions such as warts or skin tags, as well as sun spots, which are premalignant skin lesions caused by sun exposure.
The idea is to freeze the abnormal lesion and a small amount of surrounding normal skin. When the frozen cells subsequently thaw out, the skin cells essentially die and regenerate themselves over time. This all happens on the surface layer of the skin called the epidermis.
There are many ways to carry out the treatment. The most common method uses liquid nitrogen, which drops the temperature of skin quickly to way below freezing. The nitrogen is applied through a 'gun' that sprays the liquid onto the skin, or it can be applied with a cotton bud or something similar.
After cryotherapy, blistering and redness often occur and the site can look as if it's been burned for a week or more. In time, new fresh skin cells grow and heal the area that was treated.
FAQs
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Will I need anaesthetic for cryotherapy?
For skin treatment, you usually won't need anaesthetic. For cryotherapy inside the body, you may be given local or general anaesthesia, depending on where the treatment is.
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How many cryotherapy sessions will I need?
This varies. Some lesions clear after a single treatment, while others need more than one session to be fully removed.
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What will the treated skin look like afterwards?
The area usually turns red and may blister, then forms a scab that heals over one to three weeks, revealing new skin underneath.
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Can cryotherapy be used inside the body, not just on skin?
Yes. A thin probe called a cryoprobe can be inserted through a small incision to treat internal tissue, including some tumours, such as those affecting the prostate, liver, cervix or lungs.
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When should I contact my doctor after cryotherapy?
Contact your doctor if you notice redness, pus or an unexplained fever, which can be signs of infection, or if a skin issue is still there once the area has healed.
Cryotherapy consultants at Edinburgh Hospital
40 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5BT
Free onsite parking when you validate your number plate at reception.
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