‘Peeling’ treatment offered for warts

Dear Dr. Gott: With all the natural remedies you get for things, like Vicks for fungus on the toenails and the soap in the sheets for cramps, I decided to send you mine.

I read in an article about what you can use banana peels for, and the one that stuck out for me was for warts. It said to put a small piece of the peel on the wart and bandage it, and it would fall off after several days.

I thought to myself, if it works for warts on hands, I wonder if it would work for plantar warts.

I asked my doctor about my plantar warts and was told unless it was very painful or bothersome during walking, to leave it alone because it would be painful to dig it out, and there was no guarantee it wouldn’t come back.

I showered to soften the skin and peeled the outer layer off, which is just like a scab. I then applied a small square of banana peel, pulp side against the wart, covered it with a waterproof bandage and left it on until the next day.

I repeated the process each day for the next week.

On the eighth day, my wart was gone.

It would be interesting to see how it works on regular warts, how long it takes, etc. I hope this blesses your readers and that they can avoid a painful removal procedure by a doctor.

Thanks for printing such basic remedies. A lot of doctors would not, and that is why I read and love your column, as I am sure many others do, too.

Dear Reader: Several readers have reported the banana-peel cure for warts, but my experience with this unique therapy is limited. However, the technique you described is safe, painless and cheap, so trying it certainly makes sense.

I encourage other readers to share with me their success (or failure) with banana therapy.

Remember that you needn’t discard the edible part of the banana. It is a potassium-rich, nutritious food.

Dear Dr. Gott: To me, it seems crazy that it is good practice to sneeze or cough in one’s hand and then commence touching everything in sight, like doorknobs and keyboards. How come there isn’t more of a push to have people use handkerchiefs or to cough or sneeze into the bend of the elbow?

Dear Reader: You are right on the money. Coughing or sneezing into one’s hand makes contamination a virtual certainty if the symptoms are caused by an upper-respiratory infection.

People should cough or sneeze into the bend of their elbows, thereby avoiding contamination. I wish this were the rule, not the exception.

Let’s all try to avoid spreading germs unnecessarily.

Dear Dr. Gott: My 80-year-old mother has had ringing in her ears for most of her adult life. It used to drive her crazy until she learned about Lipoflavonoid. Since taking this medicine, she has become much more comfortable and no longer complains about the buzzing. Have you used this product? Do you recommend it?

Dear Reader: Lipo-Flavonoid is a nonprescription dietary supplement that is marketed for treating tinnitus and Meniere’s disease (loss of hearing, dizziness and tinnitus). I have not used it but I have learned that many ear-nose-and-throat specialists advocate it for their patients and have had good results. In any case, the supplement seems to be safe and appears to have improved your mother’s quality of life.

Because I have no experience with Lipo-Flavonoid, I cannot advocate its use. However, I would like to hear from readers who have used this product and to know what results were achieved, good or bad. Once I receive some more information, I can better make a judgment about this product. So readers, let me know what you think of Lipo-Flavonoid.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my updated Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.