Natural remedies abound for wart removal

June 21, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I saw your article about the person who had a wart removed by rubbing chalk on it. I had a wart on my hand for seven years. Then I started teaching, using a blackboard and chalk. A couple of months later, I noticed the wart was getting smaller and eventually it disappeared forever. My family and friends laughed when I told them I thought it was chalk dust that did it. I’m happy to see someone else agrees with my very unscientific conclusion.

DEAR READER: The white chalk you use in your classroom is generally made from calcium carbonate, a processed form of natural limestone. This chemical compound, found in rocks around the world, is used for many purposes, such as a dietary supplement. It is commonly used as an over-the-counter antacid. Calcium is required for healthy bones, muscles, the nervous system and the heart.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With:

Is liquid nitrogen really available OTC?

April 13, 2011 By

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?
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , ,

Warts revisited

November 27, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: How do you remove a family of plantar warts off the bottom of a big toe? My 10-year-old daughter has had them for a couple of years (shortly after starting gymnastics). There are about six or eight on her big toe right where it joins her foot. Please help!

DEAR READER: Since my last column about plantar warts, I have received many letters about various treatments. Many of the readers claim that over-the-counter and physician treatments offered limited success, with the warts either returning or never completely disappearing. Many also complained of the pain associated with these treatments, which is why they turned to alternative and home remedies.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,

Plantar warts difficult to remove

November 27, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I recently read your column about the person suffering from plantar warts. My son had a number these (large and small) a few years ago. I took him to a dermatologist, who looked at his foot and told us to use over-the-counter Duofilm. He said to apply the product twice a day, and every three days either scrape or pumice the wart and start the process over again. A month later, I took my son back, and the doctor declared the process was working and to keep at it. He then proceeded to charge us $80 for the five-minute visit. The doctor didn’t even do anything! I would like to say — save your money, folks, and do the removal yourself.

DEAR READER: Unfortunately, this situation is becoming more and more common. As you saw in my last column and in the above letter, many readers are frequently dissatisfied with the care they get from a doctor for common and plantar warts, not to mention how painful some of the procedures can be.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , ,

Plantar-wart remedies sought

October 15, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am seeing a dermatologist for plantar warts on the tops and bottoms of my feet. He is using a combination of acid and freezing. This is painful, and I have difficulties walking, even two weeks after treatments that are every three weeks. Is there anything else I can do?

DEAR READER: Plantar warts are benign growths caused by the human papillomavirus (of which there are more than 100 types), which enters the body through cuts or breaks in the skin. These lesions present as small, hard bumps and are most commonly found on pressure points on the heels or balls of the feet.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,