When is cryotherapy recommended for seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratoses are non-cancerous, often stuck-on growths that can be rough, smooth, light, or dark. Freezing treats the selected surface area; the spot may swell, blister, crust, and gradually shed as the skin heals. Colour change can remain after healing, particularly in darker skin tones.

Cryotherapy is more likely to be discussed when a growth catches on clothing, becomes irritated, bleeds after repeated rubbing, or is unwanted for cosmetic reasons. A changing or uncertain lesion should be assessed before removal because not every pigmented growth is a seborrheic keratosis.

Arrange an examination rather than freezing a growth at home. Tell the clinician about previous abnormal moles, medicines that affect bleeding, poor wound healing, or a history of strong reactions to cold.

After treatment, keep the area clean, avoid picking the crust, and follow the dressing instructions provided. Protect healing skin from sun exposure. Contact the clinic if redness spreads, pain increases, or drainage develops instead of settling.

Seek a skin assessment before removal if the growth changes quickly, develops uneven colour or a ragged outline, repeatedly bleeds without rubbing, or forms a persistent sore. Prompt review is also sensible when the diagnosis is new or uncertain.

Ask whether the lesion has the typical appearance of seborrheic keratosis, why freezing is appropriate for its thickness and location, what skin-colour change to expect, and which symptoms should trigger a review.