Topical Anesthetics in Cryotherapy:For More Comfortable, Satisfied Patients

Cryotherapy is commonly performed in dermatology to treat numerous benign and premalignant skin lesions and some selected superficial skin cancers. The pain associated with this procedure occurs in two phases, immediately at onset and as the treated site thaws. The posttreatment thaw pain is the most intense and may inhibit patients from undergoing retreatment, should it become necessary. Application of a topical anesthetic, such as L.M.X.4?, after a lesion has thawed relieves the pain associated with cryotherapy.