What We Treat

Who can attend

We welcome anyone that is able to travel to the clinic.

You need to be able to consent to the treatment.

Children are welcome and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children must be aged 6 years and over.

What we will treat

The Cryo Doctor is happy to treat the following benign skin lesions:

Warts

Verrucae

Skin tags

Seborrhoeic keratoses

If your GP has referred you to this clinic, it is very likely the treatment is appropriate for your lesion.

If you are unsure of the type of lesion you have, you are recommended to consult a health professional at your GP surgery first, before considering cryotherapy.

Your consultation fee includes treatment of up to two lesions.

What we will NOT treat

If the doctor is concerned the lesion is more serious, cryotherapy would not be appropriate and you will be asked to see your GP.

We DO NOT treat

Moles (Naevi). A pigmented naevus can easily be confused with a seborrhoeic keratosis. They are not the same. Click here for some examples of pigmented naevi. If you are unsure what you have, consult at your GP clinic first.

Genital lesions. The treatment is generally too painful in these areas and you should be checked for other conditions. You are best attending a sexual health clinic. In Forth Valley this is provided by Central Sexual Health. Please visit their website or phone 01324 673554.

Molluscum Contagiosum. These childhood warts will resolve on their own and cryotherapy is not necessary. Click here for example photos if you are unsure what these are.

You are welcome to contact us if you are not sure or require more information.

Viral Warts

These are common, are caused by a virus and can affect any age group. They commonly affect fingers, toes, next to nails and knees. Appearances can be variable depending on the specific type. They can be flat, rough, cauliflower-like or quite raised.

Although unsightly, the majority of warts will resolve on their own within a few months but can be up to two years.

Cryotherapy, in most cases, can significantly shorten the time to clear these lesions. Depending on the size of the wart, this may resolve after one treatment or may require repeat treatments. Before a repeat treatment, if tolerated, rub the wart down with an emery board, file or sandpaper.

Click here to view more example photos from DermNetNZ.

Verrucae

Also known as "plantar warts".

These are warts of the soles of the feet and caused by a virus. They are commonly painful, especially with pressure when walking.

Over the counter freeze kits are available. If you have found these ineffective, a session of cryotherapy may be noticeably better.

Like all viral warts, if left alone, verrucae should resolve on their own but can take months to do so. Depending on the size of the verruca, cryotherapy can clear the lesion after one treatment or may require repeat treatments. Before a repeat treatment, you are recommended to soak and rub down hard skin as much as possible with an emery board, file or sandpaper.

Click here to view more example photos from DermNetNZ.

A cluster counts as 'one' lesion for treatment.

Skin tags

These are fleshy skin coloured lesions that can appear in several places on the body. The exact cause is not known. They can be numerous and may be in awkward places e.g. the neck, armpits, chest and back. They can catch on clothing and jewellery causing tearing and sometimes bleeding.

Skin tags that are slim and hang on a stalk usually require just one treatment. Larger and broad based skin tags may require a repeat treatment.

Click here to view more example photos from DermNetNZ.

Seborrhoeic keratoses

Also known as “seborrhoeic warts” and “senile warts” and “basal cell papilloma”.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are a sign of the ageing process and are very common. They can appear anywhere on the body. The exact cause is unknown. They have a variable appearance and texture, from brown to fleshy coloured, and from smooth to rough. People can find them unsightly or itchy, especially when catching on clothing. They are harmless but for particularly annoying ones, cryotherapy can remove these after one or a few sessions.

Click here for more example photos from DermNetNZ.