For years cryotherapy has been the standard treatment for the removal of warts and also for the removal of other benign skin disorders. Liquid nitrogen is the most frequently applied cooling agent for cryotherapy.

For several years, a different cooling agent has been available as an alternative for liquid nitrogen, i.e. a mixture of dimethyl ether and propane (DMEP). In scientific research, liquid nitrogen has been compared with DMEP for the treatment of warts and benign skin disorders. No differences were found between these two methods with regard to effectiveness, tolerance or safety. DMEP has important advantages compared with liquid nitrogen: it is easier to handle; it has a longer shelf-life and it is less painful when applied.