Skin Hyperpigmentation after Cryotherapy for Wart Removal
A few years ago I performed cryotherapy on a teenager to remove some warts on his knees and elbows. A several days later I got a call from his mother because of darkening of the skin around the areas that I froze.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QTyENGB9Q-LeZMNR_XGxFr2lDXFzexgZRtmodp385bSoYT_1O3DvKVe-rEz-K8SboDjFXB4diHUD1Yk7mSYZiLtyXfgeTzSAQTQcriT_BXDCiC4qHr3ltXcJV1lXUbW89Ij3/s400/postcryo1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VhyAWTnyCeNnuLOl5b2vyZC0GaVC1Wf_PUtEZ9wItFEBAAH2TPEDP6Dh320dbh9AdmWvP9BCfNOtU7z8g2QCoZdP5t4ClJtAjrmOLNUlwZGzDaJhKFhp0-WpXE-CdyVPV23t/s400/postcryo2.jpg)
This was the first time I had seen this complication, but I explained to the mother that this is something that can happen with cryotherapy. It usually only lasts a few months but can last longer. I am not exactly sure how long it lasted in this case but it wasn't very long. I have seen this young man many times since then and it was never an issue again. I spoke with my fellow blogger Joe about this and he told me to have the patient use sunscreen over the areas (right Joe?) when out it the sun, which I did do. I haven't really been able to find any literature that supports that practice but it is something to try.
Labels: dermatology, medicine
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