Cryotherapy
Wart and Verruca Freezing (Cryotherapy) in Tyldesley
Stubborn wart or verruca that won’t shift with shop-bought treatments? Cryotherapy freezes the tissue so it can peel away cleanly – and you can book it this week without waiting for a GP appointment.
What Cryotherapy Is And Who Is It For?
Cryotherapy uses a very cold spray to freeze a wart or verruca. The frozen skin blisters slightly, then dries and falls off over the following week or two, taking the virus with it.
It’s a quick, in-and-out treatment that a pharmacist can carry out in a normal consultation room. Most people need more than one session, spaced a few weeks apart.
It’s a good option if:
You have a common wart on your hands, fingers or knees that hasn't cleared with over-the-counter gels or plasters.
You have a verruca on the sole of your foot that's painful when you walk.
You've had warts for months and want something more effective than a home kit.
Your child has a wart and you'd rather a trained professional treated it than tried at home.
You've tried salicylic acid for several weeks without success.
You want a same-week appointment rather than a wait for a GP.
You'd like clear aftercare advice from someone who can check the area between sessions.
Before your appointment
Book a cryotherapy treatment with our trained pharmacy team. Consultation charges are £70 per visit
Wear loose clothing that lets us get to the wart or verruca easily - shorts for a knee, open shoes for a foot.
Don't apply wart gel or plasters for 24 hours before your appointment, as it can make the skin more sensitive
Tell us about any medicines you take, especially blood thinners such as warfarin, apixaban or clopidogrel.
Let us know if you have diabetes or poor circulation in your feet or hands
Bring your child's age if the treatment is for someone under 16 - we may adjust the freeze time.
Eat and drink normally. There's no need to fast.
Allow around 15 minutes for the appointment, plus a few minutes for aftercare advice
When to speak to your GP first
Cryotherapy isn’t right for every skin lesion, and some need a proper look before anything is frozen. Speak to your GP first if:
You're not sure it's a wart. A changing mole, a sore that won't heal, or a lump that's growing needs checking before treatment.
The lesion is on your face or near your eyes, lips or genitals.
You have diabetes or known poor circulation in the area.
You have a weakened immune system, for example from chemotherapy or certain medicines.
The skin looks infected - spreading redness, pus, or heat around the area.
You have several large warts clustered together, or warts that keep coming back after treatment.
You're pregnant and unsure - we'll always talk it through, but some lesions are better assessed by your GP.
You have a bleeding disorder or take a blood thinner and bleed easily.
What to Expect During Your Appointment?
What happens during your visit?
We check the area. Your pharmacist looks at the wart or verruca and confirms cryotherapy is the right treatment.
We talk through your history. Any medicines, allergies, diabetes or circulation problems, plus how long the wart has been there.
We explain what it will feel like. A sharp, cold sting for a few seconds - most people describe it as a quick snap.
We freeze the lesion. A precise spray of liquid nitrogen is applied for a set number of seconds, sometimes in two short bursts.
We check the result. The skin turns white and hardens as it thaws, which tells us the freeze worked.
We give you aftercare advice. Keep it dry, don't pick the blister, and cover it if it's on a foot.
Why choose Your Chemist Cryotherapy
GPhC-registered pharmacists carry out every treatment - you're in trained clinical hands.
Same-week appointments, usually within a few days, at a time that suits you.
No GP wait. You don't need a referral or a letter to book.
Two local branches - Tyldesley and Derby Street, Bolton - so you can pick the one that's easier.
Clear pricing up front. You'll know the cost per session before we start.
Honest advice. If cryotherapy isn't right for your skin, we'll tell you and point you to the right place.
Aftercare that's explained properly, not handed over on a leaflet you'll lose.
Cryotherapy vs home treatments
Home wart gels and plasters work by slowly peeling the skin with salicylic acid. They can work well for small, new warts, but they need daily application for weeks and often get abandoned.
Cryotherapy freezes the tissue in one short appointment. It’s faster, more consistent, and a pharmacist can judge whether the treatment is actually working between sessions.
| Cryotherapy at Your Chemist | Home gel or plaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Time per treatment | A few minutes in the pharmacy | Daily for 6–12 weeks |
| Who applies it | GPhC-registered pharmacist | You, at home |
| Sessions needed | Usually 2–4 | Continuous use |
| Progress checked | Yes, at each visit | No |
| Best for | Stubborn or multiple warts | Small, new warts |
FAQs about Cryotherapy
Does cryotherapy hurt?
It stings for a few seconds while the spray is applied, then settles quickly. Most people describe it as a sharp cold snap rather than real pain. The area can ache for a day afterwards.
How many sessions will I need?
Most warts need two to four sessions, spaced two to three weeks apart. Larger or older warts can take longer. We’ll tell you honestly after the first session how it’s responding.
Will the wart come back?
It can, because the virus that causes warts can stay in the skin. Treating it fully and following the aftercare advice reduces the chance. If it returns, we can treat it again.
Can my child have cryotherapy?
Often yes, from around four years old, depending on the wart and how well your child copes. We’ll talk it through with you first and may use a shorter freeze time.
Can I go back to work or the gym afterwards?
Yes. Keep the area clean and dry, and cover a foot verruca with a plaster if you’re wearing shoes. Avoid swimming pools until the blister has healed.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can book directly with us. If we think the lesion needs a GP or dermatology review, we’ll say so at your appointment.
Ready to book with Your Chemist?
Book your appointment online in under a minute fast, secure, and available 24/7