Retail therapies
around the house, and dancing to the radio can all help.
You can find much more information on the website being run by Sport England and a large number of charities, aimed at people like you who have a long-term health condition and wish to be more active – weareundefeatable.co.uk
QI’VE had a verruca on my foot for more than a year. I’ve tried all sorts of gels and have had it sprayed twice with liquid nitrogen at my surgery but nothing seems to make a difference.
My GP says it will eventually go away but it’s quite painful. Is there anything else I can try?
AVERRUCAS are viral warts that grow inwards, and around 70 per cent of them do go away without any treatment, but this can take up to two years, so it is reasonable to leave them alone if they are not bothering you. However, they can be painful, especially if they are on a pressure point, like the ball of the foot.
I recommend you try using duct tape, the strong waterproof sticky tape that you can buy in DIY stores.
It sounds odd, but it has been proven to work. Cut a piece as close as possible to the size of the verruca, stick it on when your foot is dry (so not after a shower) and leave it in place for six days.
If it falls off, just put another piece on.
After six days, remove the tape, and soak your foot in warm water, then scrape off any dead skin with a foot file or pumice stone.
Leave the verruca uncovered overnight, then put a new piece back on and repeat the process. It is important to keep filing away at the dead skin every time you remove the tape. Carry on until the verruca goes, which is usually in a few weeks. Research has shown that 85 per cent of people using this method found their warts had gone within two months, compared to 60 per cent of those who had treatment with liquid nitrogen, so it’s worth a try.
● If you have a health question for Dr Leonard, write to her in confidence at the Daily Express, One Canada Square, CanaryWharf, London E14 5AP or email yourhealth@express.co.uk. She regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence or reply to everyone. SLEEK and sweat proof, the Adidas FWD-01 wireless in-ear headphones (£129; adidashead phones.com) are perfect for working out.
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