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Possible Side Effects Of Cryotherapy
The most common side effects of cryotherapy are numbness, tingling, redness, and irritation of the skin but usually do not last long. If they don’t resolve within 24 hours, visit your dermatologist.
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Pain
The pain produced in cryotherapy is usually well-tolerated but can sometimes be painful if a deep freeze has been necessary such as in treating basal cell carcinoma.
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Swelling and redness
This is a normal immediate response to freezing the skin and usually decreases after two to three days. The treated area may also have some watery discharge.
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Blister formation
Also common, blisters can form and then dissipate after a few days as the scab forms.
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Infection
Sometimes infection can occur, resulting in intense pain and pus.This may require either an antiseptic cream or oral antibiotics.
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Scarring
A flat white scar, regardless of your skin colour, may be formed in the treated area. Rarely, a raised scar (hypertrophic scar or a keloid) can result in some individuals.
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Changes in skin color
The surrounding skin of the treated area may become lighter or darker in colour. This can improve with time but may sometimes be permanent.
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Numbness
If a nerve in the affected area is frozen, it can result in numbness of the area supplied by the nerve. The numbness usually resolves within a few months.
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Recurrence
Cryotherapy may fail and the skin growth may recur.
