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Callus removal with liquid nitrogen

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 12.03.2022
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One of the hardware methods of getting rid of calluses is their destruction using such a cryo-liquid as liquefied nitrogen, which has a temperature of -195.8 ° C in this state of aggregation. It is this low temperature that allows cryoablation (cryolysis) - removal of calluses with liquid nitrogen. [1]

Indications for the procedure

Freezing, that is, removal of callus with liquid nitrogen, can be carried out only in cases where the use of patches with salicylic acid, keratolytic ointments and creams (or alternative means) does not give the desired effect, and the focal zone of plantar hyperkeratosis continues to interfere with walking, causes pain and discomfort.

Also read -  Callus: causes, structure, treatment .

In the same cases, dry calluses are also removed with liquid nitrogen. For more details, see -  Dry calluses on the legs .

In addition, this method can remove warts, nevi (moles), papillomas and even malignant neoplasms of the skin (for example, basal cell carcinoma), as well as use cryoablation with liquid nitrogen for keratoses - actinic and seborrheic.

Preparation

Preparation for the procedure of cryodestruction of the corn consists in examining it and explaining to the patient the principle of action of liquefied nitrogen. Also, the specialist conducting this procedure (dermatologist or podiatrist) gives instructions on what the patient should do at home so that the healing process after exposure to liquid nitrogen on the skin goes without complications.

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Technique of the callus removal with liquid nitrogen

When removing calluses, the cryoablation technique consists in applying liquid nitrogen to the problem area of the skin (within 15-20 seconds) through a catheter with the tip of a special apparatus (cryodestructor of various models) or applying cryofluid using a conventional cotton applicator.

With direct contact of liquefied nitrogen with the skin, exposure of the corn to low temperatures (from -30°C to -70°C) leads to local freezing of the pathologically thickened area and destruction (destruction or necrosis) of the tissue at the cellular level.

In domestic practice, local anesthesia, as a rule, is not carried out, but only the site of exposure is disinfected.

Calluses turn white after liquid nitrogen, and the surrounding skin may become red, swollen, or sore for several days; a blister (filled with serous fluid or blood) may appear, after the disappearance of which (after 4-7 days) a crust (scab) forms. All this is considered a normal reaction to skin freezing, which disappears after a few days.

Contraindications to the procedure

Acute infectious diseases (with fever), diabetes mellitus (first of all, the presence of a diabetic foot), circulatory disorders in the lower extremities, foot mycosis, skin rashes in the form of urticaria, and pregnancy are contraindications to this procedure.

Consequences after the procedure

Possible consequences of this procedure include pain; the formation of scar tissue; changes in skin pigmentation at the treatment site and around it; damage to nearby healthy tissues or vessels, and if nerves are damaged, loss of skin sensitivity.

Complications after the procedure

In rare cases, complications after the procedure are associated with the development of inflammation - when an infection enters - with increased pain and the formation of pus. In such cases, local antiseptics or antibiotic ointment are used.

Care after the procedure

Care usually includes cleaning the area of debris and changing dressings to prevent infection.

To speed up healing and prevent the formation of a scab, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or cream with ceramides to the treated area twice a day for one to one and a half weeks.

The scab that forms at the site of the blister cannot be torn off: it will fall off on its own in one to two weeks.

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