Cryotherapy in Dermatology

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (68 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

25 Mar 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


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Activity Description

Cryotherapy is a commonly performed dermatologic procedure used to treat a range of benign, premalignant, and selected malignant skin lesions. The technique relies on the controlled application of extreme cold to induce tissue destruction by mechanisms such as intracellular ice crystal formation, vascular stasis, and osmotic injury. Cryotherapy is frequently used for conditions such as actinic keratoses, viral warts, seborrheic keratoses, and selected nonmelanoma skin cancers. Clinical effectiveness depends on appropriate lesion selection, accurate margin identification, and correct execution of freeze–thaw cycles. Expected postprocedural responses include erythema, blistering, and crusting, with healing typically occurring over several weeks. Potential complications include hypopigmentation, scarring, nerve injury, and recurrence, underscoring the importance of technical precision and patient counseling.

This educational activity enhances clinician competence in evaluating skin lesions and applying evidence-based cryotherapy techniques. Participants learn to select appropriate candidates, determine temperature targets, choose open or contact methods, and tailor freeze–thaw cycles based on lesion type and location. The course emphasizes recognizing contraindications, managing adverse effects, and optimizing cosmetic outcomes. Structured guidance on patient education and follow-up supports safe outpatient care. Collaboration within an interprofessional team, including dermatology clinicians, advanced practice clinicians, and nursing staff, strengthens procedural safety, promotes consistent monitoring, and improves treatment outcomes through coordinated care.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify lesion-specific protocols, including optimal technique selection and margin control, to enhance efficacy and safety.

  • Determine indications, contraindications, and procedural endpoints to minimize complications and recurrence.

  • Evaluate expected healing responses following cryotherapy and identify early signs of recurrence or adverse effects.

  • Collaborate within the interprofessional healthcare team to develop unified postprocedural care plans that promote adherence, timely reassessment, and improved patient satisfaction following cryotherapy.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.50 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.50 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.50 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Lynn S. on 1/24/2021

Kristin G. on 4/23/2021

Michelle s. on 9/1/2021

Howard S. on 9/5/2021

Terry W. on 9/7/2021

Trisha R. on 12/22/2021

Hope H. on 1/28/2022

One of the questions has an incorrect answer choice coded as the correct one. The cone/device in the vignette gets stuck to the skin, and the question is how best to remove the device without causing damage. I put to use warm water, which is the correct answer, but the choice coded as correct is "Rotating the probe clockwise and then pulling until separated" -- which is clearly wrong. Please correct this.

Emily E. on 2/26/2022

Dr.Mallikarjun K. on 4/5/2022

Chelsea H. on 5/23/2022

Anuja S. on 6/24/2022

Ashley B. on 8/11/2022

Ilene B. on 9/5/2022

Brenda on 10/11/2022

April K. on 11/12/2022

Johnson K. on 12/1/2022

Ziyad H. on 12/26/2022

Katherine L. on 2/6/2023

on 2/7/2023

shih l. on 2/23/2023

Katie K. on 3/11/2023

Stephanie D. on 6/17/2023

BREA R. on 7/3/2023

Kimberly M. on 7/6/2023

Peter W. on 7/20/2023

Gerald D. on 8/16/2023

Sydney B. on 8/26/2023

Kimberly H. on 9/19/2023

Joline T. on 9/24/2023

Jonathan L. on 10/14/2023

Carol I. on 5/7/2024

Stephen l. on 10/19/2023

Complexion P. on 10/24/2023

Karen W. on 11/28/2023

Kyle S. on 12/9/2023

Sydney L. on 3/4/2024

Sam A. on 3/8/2024

Benjamin S. on 3/20/2024

Morgan R. on 3/28/2024

Cassandra C. on 4/28/2024

Don C. on 6/10/2024

Dylan B. on 7/30/2024

Bobiji S. on 9/17/2024

Nancy C. on 9/23/2024

Clayton B. on 10/15/2024

JOHANNA F. on 10/28/2024

Petra C. on 12/7/2024

kenneth o. on 12/8/2024

I thought it would have been more extensive

Erin M. on 1/7/2025

Marshall H. on 3/26/2025

Jaylee P. on 4/3/2025

Lindsay D. on 4/7/2025

For the credits offered and the cost, I expected MUCH more than a few paragraphs, a less than 10 second video, and a quiz.

Heidi V. on 5/25/2025

Jeannie G. on 8/26/2025

Stephanie R. on 10/5/2025

Austin S. on 10/22/2025

michael M. on 10/27/2025

David P. on 11/18/2025

Martin S. on 12/26/2025

James B. on 12/31/2025

Bruce S. on 1/1/2026

Leo O. on 2/3/2026

James B. on 5/2/2026

April W. on 5/7/2026

Eric B. on 5/8/2026

Kaycee L. on 5/8/2026

Beverly D. on 5/25/2026

Meghan C. on 6/23/2026

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6279 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7486.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$73.50 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$399 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$649 per 1 year per user