Stubborn verruca
I have a verruca which has stubbornly refused to disappear despite having all the conventional treatments. It is right in the middle of the ball of my foot and is starting to affect the way I am walking. I am desperate to find something that really works. What can you suggest?
These foot warts are caused by a virus which has invaded the skin, causing the affected cells to multiply rapidly and form raised lumps. The body cannot kill off the virus and so responds by, in effect, 'walling' off these lumps which, as you know, are highly contagious. The constant pressure of walking on them then causes the verruca to harden and burrow even deeper into the skin which is why, if you cannot get rid of it, walking can eventually become painful.
Since this is a viral problem, I am going to recommend a remedy that I usually write about for helping to clear cold sores which are also caused by a virus. Themba is a topical cream made from an extract of an African plant called kigelia, also known as the 'sausage tree' because the dangling fruits resemble sausages. There is now a patent pending on this exceptional remedy which combines the kigelia with calendula and lavender but what you need to remember, is that it is not a quick fix and, unlike some of the conventional treatments, will not work over night.
You will need to apply the cream to the verruca on a regular basis - even hourly - until it starts to disappear which may be a pain but if it does the job, it will be worth it. I carry a pot of Themba in my bag at all times since it is one of the best skin-healing tonics I have come across and can be used for wounds, burns, cuts and scrapes as well as cold sores, verrucas and warts.
It is not widely on sale in the shops so you will need to mail order it from The Little Herbal Company (01484 685100; www.littleherbal.co.uk) where a 30g pot costs £11.95 plus £1 p&p. This is not a call centre ordering number so if you find you cannot get through at the first attempt, please be patient and try again.