3 ways to... BEAT WARTS

PREVENT

Warts affect most people, at any age, but are most common among children and young people (some studies suggest a third of youngsters have them at some point).

These non-cancerous (benign) skin growths are caused by viruses that infect the top layer of the skin on different parts of the body, and are highly contagious.

The viruses are passed on through close skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands, or indirectly through contaminated objects.

Limit your exposure by washing hands thoroughly and regularly, not sharing towels or footwear, and wearing flip-flops in gym changing rooms.

TREAT

Warts will usually clear up by themselves within a few months. They are harmless but can be a cause of embarrassment, and there are a number of treatments that may speed up the process of removal and, hopefully, get rid of them.

Over-the-counter creams, gels, paints or plasters usually contain salicylic acid, but this can also destroy healthy skin. And these treatments might not be suitable if you have poor circulation because of an increased risk of damage to skin, nerves and tendons.

Another treatment is cryotherapy, where liquid nitrogen is applied to the wart to freeze and destroy the affected skin cells, forming a scab that falls off about a week later.

See a doctor if your wart bleeds, alters in appearance, spreads or causes you pain or distress.

DON’T BOTHER

Some people say placing a strip of duct tape over warts for as long as two months will get rid of them, but there is limited evidence this treatment works and the tape could cause irritation. Another bizarre method, taping banana skin to the area, is also unproven.