Warts
Common warts are among the lesions frequently treated with cryotherapy. More than one treatment is often necessary.2
Warts and skin lesions · Saint‑HyacintheAssessment by an NP
Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy in Saint-Hyacinthe
A cold treatment for certain warts and skin lesions, after an appropriate assessment.
Cryotherapy is not simply a matter of applying liquid nitrogen to a lesion. Before proceeding, it must be confirmed that the lesion can be treated this way and does not instead require further investigation or other management.
A consultation with an NP is mandatory before any liquid nitrogen treatment, unless you come with a valid prescription from an authorized professional.
The treatment
What is liquid nitrogen cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy destroys certain skin lesions by rapidly freezing the cells.1
Liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the lesion, most often with a small spray device, without local anesthesia. The application time varies depending on the lesion being treated.1
For thicker lesions, such as certain warts or seborrheic keratoses, two freeze cycles may be necessary during the same session.5
Indications
Which lesions can be treated?
Depending on the assessment, cryotherapy may be used for certain skin lesions, including:
Plantar warts
Warts on the sole of the foot can also be treated with cryotherapy, after assessment.2
Seborrheic keratoses
These common benign lesions can be treated with cryotherapy once the diagnosis is established.1
Actinic keratoses
These lesions are considered precancerous; cryotherapy is one of the possible treatments.1
Molluscum contagiosum
These small benign lesions of viral origin can be treated with cryotherapy, depending on age and the situation.15
Skin tags and small benign lesions
Skin tags (acrochordons) and certain other small benign lesions can be treated this way.5
A lesion with an uncertain diagnosis, or one that might require laboratory analysis, is not treated with liquid nitrogen without a prior assessment.5
Before treatment
Is an NP consultation mandatory before treatment?
Without a prescription
A consultation with an NP is mandatory before treatment.
The NP assesses the lesion and your clinical situation and determines whether cryotherapy is appropriate.
This consultation is billed separately from the liquid nitrogen treatment.
With a valid prescription
If you come with a valid prescription from an authorized professional specifying liquid nitrogen treatment, a prior NP consultation may not be necessary.
However, the prescription will be verified by our team before treatment.
If the lesion is not suitable for cryotherapy
After the assessment, the NP may determine that cryotherapy is not the best option. Some lesions may require:
- monitoring;
- another treatment method;
- further investigation;
- a biopsy;
- or a referral to another professional or a specialist.
In that case, the liquid nitrogen treatment will not be performed simply because an appointment had been scheduled. Safety and appropriate assessment of the lesion remain the priority.
Your appointment
How does a liquid nitrogen treatment work?
Assessment or prescription validation
Without a prescription, the NP assesses the lesion and your clinical situation. With a valid prescription, our team verifies it before treatment.
Application of liquid nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is applied to the lesion, without local anesthesia. A burning sensation is common during application.1
After treatment
Redness, swelling or a blister may appear. Our team explains the aftercare required and when to get back in touch.
For children: the comic “Clara and the nitrogen treatment” (in French) explains this care in simple words.
The following days
What happens after cryotherapy?
In the hours that follow, the treated area may become red and a blister may form within 24 hours. Redness and swelling usually decrease after two or three days, and then a scab forms.4
Healing often takes one to two weeks, but it varies depending on the area treated: it is generally faster on the face and longer on the lower legs.15
Contact the clinic if, after 48 hours, the treated area:
- becomes increasingly red or swollen;
- becomes increasingly painful;
- oozes fluid (after 24 hours).
Signs taken from the follow-up instructions of a public health care institution.4
How many treatments are needed?
The number of sessions depends on the nature, size and location of the lesion. For warts, most patients need more than one treatment, which can be repeated every 2 to 4 weeks.2
Depending on the number, nature and location of the lesions, certain limits may apply and several appointments may be recommended.
Fees
What are the fees?
Simple fees based on the number of lesions. The fees below apply only to liquid nitrogen cryotherapy treatment.
1 lesion
65 $
Liquid nitrogen treatment of one skin lesion previously assessed and deemed eligible for cryotherapy.
2 to 5 lesions
85 $
Treatment of two to five skin lesions previously assessed and deemed eligible, during the same appointment.
6 or more lesions
105 $
Treatment of six or more skin lesions previously assessed and deemed eligible.
The price shown is for the treatment
The fees cover the cryotherapy procedure only. The prior NP consultation, when required, is billed separately.
The $65, $85 and $105 fees do not include:
- the prior NP consultation when required;
- any additional tests or services;
- fees applicable to non-members, where applicable.
The total cost therefore depends on your clinical situation and the number of lesions to be treated.
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Prevention
When should a lesion be assessed?
Some lesions must be assessed before any treatment, and certain skin changes warrant a consultation.
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends telling a health professional if you notice a new mole or a change in an existing mole.3
Have a lesion assessed before any treatment rather than trying to treat it yourself.
Warning signs (ABCDE rule)3
- Asymmetry: the two halves do not have the same shape;
- Border that is irregular;
- Colour that is not the same throughout;
- Diameter greater than 6 mm;
- Evolution: change in colour, size, shape or texture.
Also see a health professional for a lesion that bleeds, oozes or does not heal.3
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription to receive liquid nitrogen treatment?
No, but without a prescription, a consultation with an NP is mandatory before treatment. If you have a valid prescription from an authorized professional specifying liquid nitrogen treatment, a prior NP consultation may not be necessary; the prescription will be verified by our team.
How much does cryotherapy cost?
Treatment costs $65 for 1 lesion, $85 for 2 to 5 lesions and $105 for 6 or more lesions. These fees cover the cryotherapy procedure only.
Is the NP consultation included in the price?
No. The prior NP consultation, when required, is billed separately from the liquid nitrogen treatment. Fees may also apply to non-members.
Is it painful?
A burning sensation during application is common. Redness, swelling or a blister may appear in the following hours.
How many sessions should I expect?
It depends on the lesion. For warts, most patients need more than one treatment, usually spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart.
Can all lesions be treated with liquid nitrogen?
No. After the assessment, the NP may recommend monitoring, another treatment method, further investigation, a biopsy or a referral to another professional. In that case, the treatment is not performed.
Book a cryotherapy appointment in Saint-Hyacinthe
Without a prescription, book a consultation with an NP: she will assess the lesion and determine whether cryotherapy is appropriate. If you have a valid prescription, bring it to your appointment.
Sources
- Groupe de cancérologie cutanée de la Société française de dermatologie. Fiche d’information patients : cryothérapie (traitement par azote liquide). Updated 2023, accessed October 3, 2026. sfdermato.org
- American Academy of Dermatology. Warts: Diagnosis and treatment. Updated May 8, 2025, accessed October 3, 2026. aad.org
- Canadian Cancer Society. Signes et symptômes du mélanome. Accessed October 3, 2026. cancer.ca
- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. Advice following Cryotherapy. June 2024, accessed October 3, 2026. swbh.nhs.uk
- DermNet. Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy guidelines (ProCare Health, 2014). Accessed October 3, 2026. dermnetnz.org
The information on this page is provided for informational purposes and does not replace an assessment by a health professional. Whether a lesion is eligible for cryotherapy is determined during the assessment.