One way to remove warts is by freezing them. This is also known as cryotherapy. During treatment, a doctor directly applies liquid nitrogen, a very cold substance, to the warts. This causes the warts to freeze off.

What types of warts can be treated by freezing?

Most warts that aren’t in the genital area can be treated using cryotherapy. Research suggests that cryotherapy may be particularly effective in treating warts of the hand, even when compared to traditional topical creams. Cryotherapy may also be helpful in treating plantar warts on feet.

Who’s a good candidate for this type of treatment?

You may be a good candidate if over-the-counter (OTC) treatments like salicylic acid haven’t successfully treated your warts. Cryotherapy may also be a good option if you want to quickly treat your wart.

What happens during this procedure?

During the procedure, your doctor cuts your wart with a small, sharp knife. Then they apply the freezing substance with a cotton swab or spray. Liquid nitrogen is usually used as the freezing substance, though carbon dioxide may also be used.

Cryotherapy may hurt. In some cases, a local anesthetic may applied to your wart to avoid causing pain during the treatment. The procedure doesn’t take much time. For larger warts, you may need follow-up sessions to reapply cryotherapy to those warts.