The efficacy of cryotherapy in managing psoriasis symptoms varies, and there is insufficient evidence to justify its use.
Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches on the skin due to excessive skin cell development. Topical treatments, laser therapy, and immune-system-targeting drugs such as biologics are common forms of treatment.
However, some patients may resort to cryotherapy if these traditional methods are insufficient for treating their symptoms. Freezing temperatures are used in this treatment to reduce inflammation and stop the formation of too many skin cells.
Research on cryotherapy's efficacy for psoriasis is currently lacking, even though treatment is widely regarded as safe.
Does cryotherapy help with psoriasis?
Using freezing temperatures for therapeutic purposes, or cryotherapy, can occasionally help reduce symptoms including discomfort, irritation, and inflammation. Studies on its application for psoriasis, however, are scarce and only go back a few decades.
Cryotherapy showed modest efficacy in a 2005 trial including sixty-three individuals with minor plaque psoriasis: thirty-one percent showed mild to moderate improvement, sixty-three percent showed no change, and six percent reported complete resolution.
This implies that most patients with this illness may not benefit significantly from cryotherapy.
A smaller trial from 1996, however, produced more encouraging results. For comparison, ten individuals with minor psoriasis plaques had cryotherapy applied to one side of their bodies while the other side was left untreated.
Nine individuals were evaluated after 12 weeks: five had full resolution, two had significant improvement (75% and 80% better), one had partial improvement (33% better), and one had no improvement. In the meantime, there were no changes or worsening in the untreated areas.
How does cryotherapy work for psoriasis?
Psoriasis patients can benefit from cryotherapy by reducing inflammation, slowing down the disease's characteristically rapid skin cell proliferation, and reducing symptoms. Usually, it entails immediately injecting liquid nitrogen or another chilling substance into the afflicted area of the skin, which might lessen scaling, redness, and irritation.
The agony can be momentarily relieved by the cold's ability to temporarily numb the skin's nerve endings.
How to care for your skin after cryotherapy
It's critical to take good care of your skin following cryotherapy to accelerate healing and reduce any possible adverse effects.
Here are some pointers for skin care following cryotherapy:
- Keep the area clean: To maintain the treated area clean, give it a gentle wash with lukewarm water and a mild soap. Using a gentle towel, pat the area dry without rubbing or applying pressure.
- Moisturize: It is advised to apply fragrance-free moisturisers many times a day for post-cryotherapy maintenance. By forming a barrier of defence, Vaseline or Aquaphor can help retain moisture and foster a healing environment.
- Protect from sun exposure: After cryotherapy, protect the treated region from the sun for a few days. If clothing cannot cover the treated region, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Avoid picking or scratching: As the skin heals, avoid picking at any blisters or scabs that may appear. This keeps infections at bay and encourages healthy healing.
- Monitor for complications: Watch for symptoms of infection, such as elevated redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, in the treated region. Make an appointment with a medical practitioner if you have any alarming symptoms.
Potential side effects of cryotherapy
The following are possible adverse effects of cryotherapy for psoriasis:
- Pain or discomfort: During and after cryotherapy, it is typical to experience immediate pain or discomfort at the treatment site.
- Redness and swelling: It's possible for the treated region to momentarily blister, swell, or turn red.
- Changes in skin pigmentation: Some people may observe that the skin in the treated region has become lighter or darker.
- Risk of infection: A small chance of infection exists, particularly if the right aftercare recommendations are not followed.
To lower the possibility of adverse effects, make sure your healthcare provider is aware of any medical problems you take or any medications you take before receiving cryotherapy for psoriasis.
Certain conditions that get worse in cold environments are not suggested candidates for cryotherapy. Among these prerequisites are:
- cryoglobulinemia
- Raynaud disease
- cold urticaria
- multiple myeloma
Cryotherapy may not be safe for you if you have had cold-related injuries or if there is insufficient blood flow in the treated area.
Bottom line
As an adjunctive treatment for psoriasis, cryotherapy exhibits promise in reducing the condition's related symptoms of skin redness, itching, and scaling. However, due to a lack of research, effectiveness is constrained and long-term impacts are still unknown.
For individualised guidance, it is essential to speak with a dermatologist if you are thinking about cryotherapy. They can provide options for symptom relief or assist you in investigating cryotherapy as a way to control your psoriasis.
FAQs
Can cryotherapy cure psoriasis?
72% of patients' psoriasis plaque cleared due to treatment
Which therapy is best for psoriasis?
Steroid creams or ointments (topical corticosteroids)
Is ice therapy good for psoriasis?
One natural method for treating psoriasis symptoms is cold therapy.
Can psoriasis be removed permanently?
Some treatments can be stopped immediately.
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