A word on liquid nitrogen

DEAR DR. GOTT: You recently had a column indicating the use of liquid nitrogen for the removal of seed warts and that it is available at pharmacies without a prescription. You have got to be kidding me!Where? My local pharmacy acted as if I was an alien asking for moon dust. I thought maybe it was the Freeze Away over-the-counter, but they indicated that that was not liquid nitrogen. Please help. DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column in my local newspaper, you stated that liquid nitrogen could be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. I have asked two pharmacists, and they said “no way.” Can it really be purchased somewhere OTC?DEAR READERS: I apologize for the confusion. Liquid nitrogen is NOT available over-the-counter. Instead, the product that removes warts in a similar process uses dimethyl ether (DME). It only cools to about -59 C, whereas liquid nitrogen reaches approximately -195 C. Both can be dangerous and will cause serious injury if used improperly.