Abstract | BACKGROUND: Over-the-counter (OTC) wart-freezing therapies have appeared on the market claiming that they reproduce in-office cryotherapy. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether these OTC home wart removal products are as cold as liquid nitrogen. METHODS: The coldness obtained by 3 representative commercial wart products, and liquid nitrogen, was assessed using a thermometer calibrated from -100 degrees C to 50 degrees C. Temperatures of the commercial wart products used were measured and compared with those obtained with liquid nitrogen. RESULTS: None of the OTC coolants were as cold as liquid nitrogen, and they did not lower temperature as quickly as liquid nitrogen. LIMITATIONS: This study did not evaluate the clinical efficacy of any of the agents studied. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advertising messages, OTC refrigerants do not achieve freezing equivalent to liquid nitrogen.
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Authors | Craig G Burkhart, Irene Pchalek, Melissa Adler, Craig N Burkhart |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
(J Am Acad Dermatol)
Vol. 57
Issue 6
Pg. 1019-20
(Dec 2007)
ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 17719128
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Nonprescription Drugs
- Nitrogen
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Topics |
- Cryosurgery
(methods)
- Freezing
- Nitrogen
(therapeutic use)
- Nonprescription Drugs
(therapeutic use)
- Temperature
- Warts
(surgery)
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