HEALTH

I have warts all over my hands, and I’m really embarrassed. How can I get them to go away?

First, make sure they’re actually warts. “They should be either very flat and pink or large and cauliflower-like in appearance,” says Dr. Nanni, who recommends an over-the-counter med that contains salicylic acid as the first line of defense. He suggests using adhesive patches on larger warts and Compound W liquid medicine on smaller ones. “Put the medication on the wart at bedtime, after you shower, for two to three weeks,” says Dr. Nanni. “The medicine penetrates moist skin better.”

Hopefully, the warts will turn white and flake off. Once that happens, use a pumice to remove dead skin on larger warts. And don’t worry if you see redness or inflammation—you want the pumice to stimulate the immune system, which kills the virus. And if the warts don’t disappear, see your dermatologist for more dramatic measures—freezing, acids or laser treatment.

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by GL | 2/1/2016