NitroFreeze
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Reviewed on Nov 01, 2023. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on November 02, 2026.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Last updated on Nov 01, 2023.

Product info

  • Nitrofreeze is a cryotherapy treatment that can remove warts and verrucas.

  • It freezes the wart or verruca and kills off the affected cells, causing it to shed.
  • It’s available over-the-counter, but you should speak to a clinician to make sure it’s right for you.

NitroFreeze Nitrous Oxide

What is NitroFreeze?

NitroFreeze is a cryotherapy medication to remove warts and verrucas. Cryotherapy is the method of using liquid nitrogen to deep freeze a wart or verruca, which makes it fall off.[1] It’s a popular and effective medication to remove warts, with few side effects.

Verrucas are small bumps that form on the bottom of your foot. They’re caused by a virus and can be painful when walking or standing. Although they usually go away on their own, it can take several months or even years. Removing it with cyprotherapy can speed this up to just a couple of days.

How does NitroFreeze work?

NitroFreeze contains the active ingredient nitrous oxide. It’s an extremely cold gas -89°C, making it suitable for cryotherapy.[3]

When applied to a verruca, the cold temperature damages the blood vessels and tissues within that area, leading to cellular death. As the cells die, the immune system removes the damaged tissue, causing the verruca to eventually fall off within a couple of days.[2]

What does NitroFreeze treat?

NitroFreeze can be used on warts and verrucas. Warts are usually rough, skin-coloured bumps found on your hands and feet. Whereas verrucas are largely the same, except they’re found on the bottoms (soles) of your feet. If you’re not certain that your bump is a wart or verruca, don’t use NitroFreeze. Instead, ask a clinician to help you diagnose it.

Using NitroFreeze on normal skin can cause serious frostbite and permanent scarring. Additionally, don’t use it on thin skin, such as your armpits, lips, breasts and genitals. For more information on where it can and can’t be used, check the patient information leaflet.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Walczuk, I., Eertmans, F., Rossel, B., Cegielska, A., Stockfleth, E., Antunes, A., & Adriaens, E. (2018). Efficacy and Safety of Three Cryotherapy Devices for Wart Treatment: A Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded, Comparative Study. Dermatology and Therapy, 8(2), 203-216.
  2. Cryotherapy Systems for Wart Removal: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-effectiveness, and Guidelines. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2014 Jun 12.
  3. CDC. Control of Nitrous Oxide During Cryosurgery. 2023.
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on November 02, 2023. Next review due on November 02, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

NitroFreeze Nitrous Oxide

How to use NitroFreeze

It’s important to read the instructions clearly and follow them accurately to avoid getting frostbite or causing damage to your skin.

Step 1 – Preparing the pen (First use only):
With the cap on, twist the white section of the pen one full turn until you hear a click.

Step 2 – Activation of the pen:
For verrucas, soak your foot in warm water for 5 minutes, then file your verruca down with a pumice stone or file and dry it thoroughly.

Place the NitroFreeze pen on a table, upright (with the clear cap down). Hold the clear cap with one hand and press down the white part of the pen. Once the hissing starts, hold it down for about 2 seconds.

If you are pressing down and there’s no hissing sound, prepare the pen again (step 1).

Step 3 – Using the pen:

Remove the cap from the pen. The tip should have a frosty appearance.

Immediately press down against the wart for:

  • a maximum of 20 seconds if it’s on your hands, fingers or arms; or:
  • a maximum of 40 seconds if it’s on your foot.

(For more accurate timings, check the application time in the section below.)

After application, wait two minutes, then dispose of the foam applicator. Don’t reuse the applicator or remove it with your bare hands, as this could reinfect your skin with the wart. After removing, insert a new tip — this will help prepare your pen for the next use.

If you have more than one verruca, you can use NitroFreeze for both (as long as they’re not close to one another). If there’s a distance of more than one inch, it’s safe for you to use. If not, then treat the second wart after two weeks. Using too much NitroFreeze can cause over-freezing, which can damage your skin.

Within 10-14 days of use, the wart should fall off.

Step 4 – Treatment follow-up:

After application, the colour of the skin may change to red or white. You may feel a stinging sensation and a blister may form under the wart for a few hours after use. This is completely normal. If the stinging or aching lasts more than one day, contact your doctor.

Application times:

For your hands, fingers and arms, apply it for 20 seconds or less depending on the size of the wart.

For verrucas on your toes or arches, vary application time by verruca size accordingly:

  • Smaller than 2.5mm – 10 seconds
  • 2.5-5mm – 15 seconds
  • 5mm > – 20 seconds

Calloused verrucas on the heels or balls of your foot should be treated for 40 seconds, regardless of their size.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using NitroFreeze?

It’s important to make sure you only use NitroFreeze on warts and verrucas. Using it anywhere else can cause frostbite and damage your skin.

How quickly does NitroFreeze work?

Your wart or verruca should fall off within 10-14 days of application. In most cases you’ll only need one treatment, but if after 2 weeks the wart is still there, you may need another treatment. In that case, follow the steps 2-4 again.

If after two treatments the wart doesn’t fall off, don’t do a third treatment. Instead, ask your clinician for the next steps.

treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on November 02, 2023. Next review due on November 02, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

NitroFreeze Nitrous Oxide

NitroFreeze isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when using it.

Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.

NitroFreeze Nitrous Oxide

FAQ: NitroFreeze

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How effective is NitroFreeze for verrucas?

Answer:
The use of cryotherapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for both warts and verrucas. In a study of 240 people, cryotherapy was the most effective treatment for warts, particularly those on the hands. After 13 weeks, 49% of patients who used cryotherapy were cured, while only 15% of those who used salicylic acid and 8% of individuals in the wait-and-see group (group using no treatment) were cured.[1]

However, for verrucas, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Both salicylic acid and cryotherapy were equally effective at treating them.

Additionally, despite experiencing more side effects with cryotherapy, most patients were more satisfied with cryotherapy than with salicylic acid when discussing their preferences.

How does NitroFreeze compare with other treatments for verrucas?

Answer:
Verrucas don’t usually need treatment. Within two years, most go away on their own. But if treatment is preferred, topical salicylic acid, like Bazuka gel, is usually the go-to option.

Bazuka gel contains salicylic acid in high concentrations of 12 and 26%. It works by softening hard skin, making it easier to remove. It also helps kill the virus that causes verrucas.

However for warts on the hands, cryotherapy was more effective than salicylic acid. For verrucas, there was no significant difference between the two. [1]

Both are equally effective at treating verrucas, so it's your choice to decide which one you prefer.

What are the side effects of NitroFreeze?

Answer:
As with all medicines, there are some side effects of NitroFreeze that can affect some people. These include:

  • stinging, itching and aching feeling during and after freezing for a few hours;

  • changes in colour from white to red;

  • permanent skin discolouration;

  • Blistering; and:

  • black dots that appear in the middle of the wart after a few days.

Is NitroFreeze available over the counter?

Answer:
Yes, NitroFreeze is available over the counter. But it's best to discuss it with a clinician before using it if you’ve got any doubts, to make sure it's safe and suitable for you.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Bruggink, S. C., Gussekloo, J., Berger, M. Y., Zaaijer, K., Assendelft, J. J., Bouwes Bavinck, J. N., Koes, B. W., & Eekhof, A. H. (2010). Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen versus topical salicylic acid application for cutaneous warts in primary care: Randomized controlled trial. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 182(15), 1624-1630.

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