From the Guidelines
Freezing off scaly moles, also known as cryotherapy, is a viable treatment option, but it should only be performed by a healthcare professional after proper evaluation, as it may leave scars, and has an effectiveness of up to 75% 1. When considering cryotherapy for scaly moles, it's crucial to have the mole examined by a healthcare professional to rule out skin cancer, especially if the mole shows changes in size, color, or texture. The procedure involves applying liquid nitrogen to the mole, causing the tissue to freeze and eventually fall off. Some key points to consider about cryotherapy include:
- It may be particularly superior for thicker lesions 1
- It has an effectiveness of up to 75% 1
- Potential side effects include scarring, pigmentation changes, and nerve damage
- Self-treatment with over-the-counter freezing kits is not recommended, especially for scaly moles that could be precancerous or cancerous lesions requiring proper medical assessment. In comparison to other treatments, photodynamic therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 91% of cases, with consistently good cosmetic results, but it may be more expensive 1. Ultimately, the decision to use cryotherapy for scaly moles should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional, taking into account the individual's specific situation and the potential risks and benefits of the treatment 1.
From the Research
Freezing Off Scaly Moles
- Scaly moles, also known as seborrheic keratoses, can be treated with cryosurgery, which involves the application of freezing temperatures to destroy the tissue 2.
- Cryosurgery is a commonly performed outpatient procedure that is safe, effective, and has good cosmetic results 2.
- The procedure can be used to treat a variety of benign skin lesions, including seborrheic keratoses, with high cure rates 3.
Effectiveness of Cryosurgery
- Studies have shown that cryosurgery is effective in treating seborrheic keratoses, with one study finding that it was approximately twice as effective as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment in removing actinic keratoses 4.
- Another study found that cryotherapy was more effective than electrosurgery in treating seborrheic keratosis, with higher patient and physician satisfaction rates 5.
- However, cryosurgery may have potential adverse effects, including bleeding, blistering, edema, paresthesia, and pain, as well as less common effects such as tendon rupture, scarring, alopecia, atrophy, and hypopigmentation 2.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- Cryosurgery has been compared to other treatments, such as electrosurgery and topical formulations, in terms of efficacy and safety 5, 6.
- While electrosurgery may be more effective in treating certain skin lesions, such as sebaceous hyperplasia and cherry angioma, cryosurgery is more effective in treating seborrheic keratosis 5.
- Topical formulations, such as 40% hydrogen peroxide, may also be effective in treating seborrheic keratoses, with the advantage of minimizing postoperative adverse events 6.