Liquid Nitrogen:

• The treatment that I use most often is liquid nitrogen, which is a cold, freezing spray
  • The spray is applied to each spot from a thermos-like spray bottle
  • Each spot is sprayed for a few seconds
  • The treatments sting and the area treated may remain sore for 1 to 2 days
  • The treatment may produce blisters
    • This is normal
    •  If the blisters are painful, pop them with a sterile needle to let the fluid out
  • The treated area requires no special treatment but an antibiotic ointment may be applied daily if desired
  • You may bathe normally
  • A bandage is not necessary, but may be worn if desired

Surgical Removal:

• In some cases it is best to remove the seborrheic keratosis with a small surgical procedure
  • The skin adjacent to a seborrheic keratosis is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area
  • The lesion is removed, and the base treated with a medication or electrocautery, so that it does not bleed
  • Stitches are not necessary
  • The removal is not painful
  • After the procedure you may bathe normally
  • For 2 weeks after the procedure, apply a small amount of antibiotic and change the bandage daily
  • After a seborrheic keratosis has been removed a crust or scab will form
  • This will heal and leave a pink mark that will gradually fade
  • After the removal, there may be a residual white mark
  • There is a small chance that the seborrheic keratosis could grow back

• Treatment of seborrheic keratoses is not covered by OHIP or private health insurance
• A referral from a doctor is necessary to make your first appointment