What is liquid nitrogen used for?

Liquid nitrogen treats:

• Warts and verrucas.

• Skin tags.

• Small fleshy growths.

• Similar small 'lumps and bumps' on the skin

These are ideal for liquid nitrogen treatment.

Applications usually last about 10-30 seconds. Try holding a cube of ice against your skin for 10-30 seconds. It is uncomfortable but usually not too painful. Liquid nitrogen applied to skin is similar but colder and most people find the discomfort quite bearable.

• After a liquid nitrogen treatment, the lump, wart or whatever is being treated will gradually discolour and fall off.

• The surrounding skin will sometimes become red and swollen and be sore for a day or so. It is similar to a mild burn.

• Occasionally a blister (sometimes a 'blood blister') forms. If this happens, it is best to pop it with a clean pin and apply a plaster.

• New skin quickly forms and any scab or blister will soon disappear. The appearance of the skin afterwards is usually good.

Usually, it does. However, sometimes thicker warts or verrucas need two or more sessions of liquid nitrogen treatment over a period of a few weeks to get to the root.