Kryohoitoa

Kryohoitoa, or cryotherapy, denotes medical use of freezing temperatures to destroy abnormal tissue, relieve symptoms, or preserve biological material. It encompasses local cryotherapy and cryosurgery applied to skin and soft tissue, as well as whole-body cryotherapy in specialized facilities.

In dermatology, local cryotherapy commonly uses liquid nitrogen to freeze lesions such as warts, actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses, and certain small tumors. The procedure usually involves repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, creating cellular injury that leads to lesion destruction. Healing occurs by scab formation and re-epithelialization, with possible pigmentary changes or scarring.

Cryosurgery is a more formal, often office-based application performed by trained clinicians to treat selected conditions, including benign skin lesions and some early-stage cancers. It requires careful indication, technique, and post-procedure care to minimize tissue damage.

Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) exposes the body to extremely cold air in a cryotherapy chamber for short periods, typically 2–4 minutes at about −110 to −140°C. Proponents claim benefits such as pain relief, reduced inflammation, and quicker recovery, but robust evidence is limited. WBC is not suitable for everyone and is contraindicated in conditions like cryoglobulinemia, severe cold intolerance, active cardiovascular disease, pregnancy, or uncontrolled hypertension.

Mechanism involves rapid cooling causing ice crystal formation, vasoconstriction, and metabolic slowdown, followed by rewarming. Side effects can include frostbite, nerve injury, skin pigment changes, or transient dizziness. Overall, kryohoitoa is an accepted therapeutic option for select indications with established protocols, while some forms, particularly whole-body cryotherapy, require cautious use and consideration of current evidence.