In my practice, I have often seen parents bring their terrified child to my office, with the goal of continuing cryotherapy (relatively painful cold therapy) started by another doctor.

First, I suggest my favorite alternative treatment: do nothing and wait for the lesions to disappear spontaneously. A long treatment, but most of the time effective and painless.

If we insist on treatment, I explain that we can very well get away with salicylic acid in liquid or in a bandage. Or by offering harmless treatments, such as hot water or duct tape (see Complementary Approaches), even though this is probably all placebo therapy.

When we take the time to explain the situation to them, my young patients and their parents usually return home quite relieved.

D^r Dominic Larose, MD