Warts are common, non-cancerous skin growths that develop when the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions. This viral infection causes the skin cells to grow rapidly, resulting in the characteristic rough or bumpy texture. Since warts are contagious and can be cosmetically undesirable, many people seek quick and accessible professional treatment options to remove them. The accessibility of walk-in clinics often leads patients to wonder if urgent care centers provide the freezing method known as cryotherapy.
Capabilities of Urgent Care Clinics
Most urgent care facilities are equipped to diagnose and treat simple, non-complex skin conditions, and many locations offer wart removal via cryotherapy. These clinics handle minor injuries and illnesses, making an urgent care visit an appropriate and convenient choice for treating common warts on the hand or foot.
The ability to perform cryotherapy depends on having the necessary equipment and a trained provider. Cryotherapy requires liquid nitrogen, which is applied directly to the growth to freeze the tissue. Urgent care providers typically limit treatment to single warts or small clusters not located in sensitive areas. They generally avoid growths that are unusually large, deeply embedded, or show signs of complications, which require more specialized care.
The Cryotherapy Procedure
Cryotherapy is the most common professional method for removing warts, involving the application of liquid nitrogen to the affected area. This extremely cold substance is typically administered using a cotton swab, a probe, or an aerosol spray for a brief duration. Patients generally feel a sensation of intense cold followed by mild stinging or burning as the tissue freezes and then begins to thaw.
The immediate goal is to destroy the wart tissue by freezing the cells, causing them to die. Within hours, or at most a day, a blister will form underneath the treated wart, which signals a successful procedure. The surrounding skin may also be temporarily red, swollen, and sore for a few days following the application.
The blister should be protected and not deliberately punctured, as this increases the risk of infection and spreading the virus. Over the next seven to fourteen days, the blister will dry up, and the dead wart tissue will lift and peel away with the scab. Warts often require multiple treatment sessions, with providers recommending one to four applications spaced one to three weeks apart for complete resolution.
When to See a Specialist Instead
While urgent care can manage many common warts, certain characteristics indicate the need to consult a dermatologist or primary care physician. Warts located in sensitive areas, such as the face, mouth, or genital region, should be treated by a specialist due to the increased risk of scarring or other complications. Similarly, if the growth is causing significant pain, bleeding, or has changed color or shape, a more comprehensive evaluation is necessary.
If a wart persists despite several attempts at professional freezing, alternative or more aggressive treatments are needed, which are beyond the scope of urgent care. Patients with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system, should also seek specialized care. These conditions increase the potential for poor healing or infection, making specialist management the safer choice.