Ask Chat's Doc: Verrucas, pregnancy problems and chloasma

Ask Chat's Doc: Veruccas, pregnancy problems and chloasma

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Every week we partner with our sister magazine, Chat to bring you expert health advice from Dr Martin Edwards. This week he answers questions about verrucas, pregnancy problems and skin discoloration.

Getting rid of verrucas

Question
I tried everything to get rid of a verruca, until my friend told me to paint it with nail varnish, adding more every day and not washing it off. In days, it was gone!
Sam, 30

Answer
Good thing it only took days, or that unwashed foot would've made its presence felt! Covering warts and verrucas does seem to work - try a piece of duct tape. But they all disappear eventually, so it's hard to know what's really working!

Essential oils and pregnancy

Question
Could I have damaged my baby? I'm three months pregnant, and used an essential oil on my legs, then I read the label and it said not to use it if you're pregnant!
Audrey, 29

Answer
Some essential oils contain poisons or natural hormones - similar to the sex hormone oestrogen - that could, in theory, affect your pregnancy. But really, the amount absorbed through your skin is so small, the danger's tiny. Still, safest to do as the label says in future!

Chloasma and the Pill

Question
I have horrible pale brown blotches on my face. My doctor says it's chloasma, caused by taking the Pill, but I've stopped the Pill and it hasn't helped!
Tanya, 26

Answer
Hormones in the Pill, or during pregnancy, stimulate your skin cells to tan. Trouble is, the effect is uneven and can look like a blotchy brown mask! Sunlight makes it worse, so stay out of the sun, use sunblock, and it should gradually fade. If not, bleaching treatment can sometimes help.