Liquid nitrogen not available over counter

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 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. It only cools to about 59 degrees below zero Celsius, whereas liquid nitrogen reaches approximately 195 degrees below zero Celsius. Both will cause serious injury if used improperly.