Citation

Ramsey K, Ragan C, Dheansa B. Burns 2007; 33(4): 533-534.

Affiliation

Department of Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3DZ, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2006.08.044

PMID

17418493

Abstract

Topical cryotherapy is a well established treatment for viral warts and verrucae. The potential risks of cold thermal burns from the application of liquid nitrogen, or similar, have always warranted the careful administration of such therapies by trained clinicians.

It is therefore most alarming that with the advent of over the counter 'Freeze verruca and wart remover' packs, we are now starting to see a cohort of burns appearing at our unit as a result of incorrect administration.

Over the last 3 months alone, we treated four cases of severe partial thickness burns directly resulting from these freezing sprays. All of the cases occurred as a result of a failure on the part of the patient to comprehend the key principle of application�i.e. to spray the aerosol until the foam applicator reaches the required temperature and then apply it to the skin. In all cases the spray was applied directly onto the skin and adverse symptoms were the immediate result.

Language: en