WHAT’S IN IT?

THIS week: Bazuka treatment gel for verrucas

Salicylic acid: Extracted from the bark of willow trees, this is used to remove the top layer of skin from a verruca or wart.

Lactic acid: Used here for its antiseptic qualities, as well as improving the gel’s potency. It is also used as an exfoliator in many skincare products. Lactic acid is created in the body when the oxygen in muscles is used up during exercise — it can lead to muscle pain and stiffness.

Pyroxylin: Helps to remove dead cells from skin’s surface. Also called nitrocellulose, it was the first man-made plastic.

Ethanol: Another name for alcohol. This is used to dry out the verruca to aid its removal.

Ethyl acetate: The liquid in the gel that carries the other chemicals. This mild toxic solvent is often mixed with water at one part ethyl acetate to one million parts water and used to decaffeinate teas and coffees.