Solar keratoses
Read moreThe rough, scaly sun spots that appear on faces, scalps, forearms and hands.
All Medicare-eligible consultations are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. Some items, including privately purchased vaccines and consumables, attract a fee.
Freezing is a quick, commonly used treatment for sun spots and warts. It is not suitable for anything that might be a skin cancer — which is why the lesion is examined first.
Standard GP consultations are bulk billed for everyone with a valid Medicare card.Cryotherapy destroys unwanted skin cells by freezing them. It is applied for a matter of seconds, stings sharply while it is happening, and settles quickly afterwards. It works well for solar keratoses — the rough, scaly sun spots that are so common on Hunter skin — and for warts, skin tags and some other benign lesions.
It does not work as a treatment for melanoma or for most skin cancers, and freezing something that has not been properly examined can destroy the evidence needed to diagnose it. That is why every lesion gets looked at, usually with a dermatoscope, before anything is frozen.
It stings while the freeze is applied and for a minute or two afterwards. Most people describe it as sharp but brief. No anaesthetic is usually needed.
It reddens, often blisters within a day or two, then crusts and falls away over one to three weeks. A pale mark can remain, particularly on darker skin.
No. Anything suspicious for skin cancer needs a proper examination and usually a biopsy rather than freezing.
The rough, scaly sun spots that appear on faces, scalps, forearms and hands.
Often needing more than one treatment a few weeks apart.
Quick to treat, though snipping is sometimes neater.
The waxy, stuck-on brown spots that increase with age.
Changing, growing, bleeding or unusual lesions need examination and often biopsy.
Some are better treated by excision or by a specialist.
Treatment happens in the same appointment as the assessment where possible.
Sun spots often clear in one. Warts commonly need two to four treatments a few weeks apart.
Yes. There is no downtime, though the treated area is tender for a day or two.
Keep it clean and dry, do not pick the blister or crust, and let it come off by itself. If it becomes hot, spreading or increasingly painful, come back.
Cryotherapy
Sun spots & warts
Quick in-clinic treatment
Skin checks first
Local GPs with skin experience
Bulk billed consultations
Book online
Upper Hunter sun damage
Cryotherapy
Sun spots & warts
Quick in-clinic treatment
Skin checks first
Local GPs with skin experience
Bulk billed consultations
Book online
Upper Hunter sun damage
Cryotherapy
Sun spots & warts
Quick in-clinic treatment
Skin checks first
Local GPs with skin experience
Bulk billed consultations
Book online
Upper Hunter sun damage
It stings sharply for a few seconds and settles quickly.
Usually one to three weeks, going through a blister and crust stage.
Usually not, though a paler mark can remain, more noticeably on darker skin.
Standard consultations are bulk billed with a valid Medicare card.
No. Moles that need attention need examination and usually excision or biopsy, not freezing.
Often two to four, a few weeks apart.
Yes. Keep it clean and dry and do not pick the crust.
Increasing pain, spreading redness or pus means come back. It is uncommon but easily treated.
General information onlyThis page is general health information for anyone who finds it useful. It is not advice about your own situation and it does not replace a consultation with a doctor who knows you. If you are worried about a symptom, book an appointment or call (02) 6530 7404. In an emergency, call 000.
Bulk billed with a valid Medicare card · Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm · Muswellbrook Fair, Rutherford Road.
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