A surgeon performs a typical surgical procedure using a scalpel or a tiny knife-like instrument. In cryosurgery, however, the doctor utilizes extreme cold to freeze and remove the growth.
Cryosurgery, also called “freezing,” is usually performed with a tiny amount of liquid nitrogen. The temperature of the nitrogen drops between minus-346 and minus-320 degrees Fahrenheit, and the extreme cold will instantly freeze and destroy diseased cells.
Cryosurgery is primarily used for destroying precancerous cells and tumors, especially in dermatology. It is a minimally invasive surgical option that requires no anesthetic and no preparation, and the growth will eventually simply fall off or slough off.
Common Conditions Treated with Cryosurgery
Some of the main reasons why your dermatologist might utilize cryosurgery include treating the following conditions:
Skin Tags
Similar to moles, skin tags are growths that protrude from the skin. Skin tags are tiny and soft growths that are most often located on the neck, armpits, and other bodily folds, usually on the body’s upper trunk area.
Skin tags don’t pose a possible threat of cancer like moles can. However, skin tags can be painful, because they can easily get caught on clothing and jewelry. Cryosurgery is useful for removing these growths.
Warts
Warts are noncancerous growths that occur as a result of a virus, specifically human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus activates unnecessary cell growth that results in the wart.
A wart appears on the outside of the skin and is hard to the touch. The most likely place for warts to grow is on the hands and feet, although they can appear anywhere on the skin. Cryosurgery can be performed to remove a wart, but warts can grow back after a while due to their viral nature.
Family Dermatologist in Miami
Here at Children’s Skin Center, we practice both pediatric and adult dermatology – skin care for the whole family. We know how important being outside is to our culture here in South Florida, and we’re here to help you stay happy and healthy while enjoying the sunshine.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today by calling us at (305) 669-6555 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you enjoy healthy skin for a lifetime.
