An in vitro study comparing temperatures of over-the-counter wart preparations with liquid nitrogen.
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.
Burkhart
Craig G
CG
University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio 43560, USA. cgbakb@aol.com
Pchalek
Irene
I
Adler
Melissa
M
Burkhart
Craig N
CN
D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005615:Freezing; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013696:Temperature; D014860:Warts / Q000601:surgery*
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009584:Nitrogen