What should you know about liquid nitrogen for genital warts?

A clinician applies very cold liquid nitrogen to the wart and a small surrounding margin. The area may sting, feel cold or burn briefly, then become red, swollen or blistered. A crust can form as the treated tissue separates from healthy skin. Several appointments may be needed because genital warts can be clustered, recur, or include areas that are difficult to treat safely.

Freezing removes visible lesions but does not guarantee that the virus causing them has left the skin. Genital warts are linked with human papillomavirus and can be passed through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including when no wart is obvious.

Before treatment, tell the clinician if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, prone to thick scars, or have reduced sensation in the treatment area. Follow the clinic's instructions about washing and pain relief. Keep the area clean and avoid picking a blister or crust. Wear loose, breathable underwear while the skin is tender, and ask when sexual contact, shaving and topical products can resume.

Do not apply household freezing products to genital skin. A clinician may discuss examination for other sexually transmitted infections, partner communication, and options if freezing does not clear the lesions.

Contact the treating clinic if pain is worsening rather than settling, redness is spreading, pus develops, fever occurs, or bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure. Seek prompt assessment for difficulty passing urine, severe swelling, or a lesion that changes, ulcerates or does not behave like a typical wart. These signs can reflect infection, an alternative diagnosis or a treatment-site problem.

Ask which lesions are suitable for freezing, how many visits may be needed, what skin changes are expected, and how to protect the area while it heals. You can also ask whether testing, vaccination or another treatment should be considered.