title: An in vitro study comparing temperatures of over-the-counter wart preparations with liquid nitrogen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over-the-counter (OTC) wart-freezing therapies have appeared on the market claiming that they reproduce in-office cryotherapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine whether these OTC home wart removal products are as cold as liquid nitrogen.
  
  
  METHODS
  The coldness obtained by 3 representative commercial wart products, and liquid nitrogen, was assessed using a thermometer calibrated from -100 degrees C to 50 degrees C. Temperatures of the commercial wart products used were measured and compared with those obtained with liquid nitrogen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the OTC coolants were as cold as liquid nitrogen, and they did not lower temperature as quickly as liquid nitrogen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study did not evaluate the clinical efficacy of any of the agents studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite advertising messages, OTC refrigerants do not achieve freezing equivalent to liquid nitrogen.
authors: University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio 43560, USA. cgbakb@aol.com
authors: Craig G
authors: CG
authors: Burkhart
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Pchalek
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Adler
authors: Craig N
authors: CN
authors: Burkhart
mesh_terms: D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005615:Freezing; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013696:Temperature; D014860:Warts / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009584:Nitrogen