Q. I have a small lump on my skin that won’t go away – please tell me how I get rid of it?

A. Depending on where it is you probably have a wart or a verruca. The good news is that your local pharmacy will be able to help you. You can buy creams, plasters and sprays from pharmacies to get rid of warts and verrucas.

These treatments can take a while to complete, may irritate your skin. This allows the body to produce an antibody to this virus. You shouldn't use these treatments on your face.

Warts and verrucas are caused by a virus. They can be spread to other people from contaminated surfaces or through close skin contact. You're more likely to spread a wart or verruca if your skin is wet or damaged.

It can take months for a wart or verruca to appear after contact with the virus.

Always wash your hands after touching a wart or verruca and take care to change your socks daily if you have a verruca. Cover warts and verrucas with a plaster when swimming – and take care not to cut a wart when shaving.

Try not to share towels, flannels, socks or shoes if you have a wart or verruca and don’t bite your nails or suck fingers with warts on. Also take care not to walk barefoot in public places if you have a verruca

And do not scratch or pick a wart.

It is not unusual for warts or verrucas to last for months to years.

Remember, your pharmacist can give you advice about the best treatment for you.

Q. Everything is spinning around – what’s wrong with me?

A. You may have vertigo. You can take a few simple steps to help yourself and in most cases it will get better at home.

First – check if it is vertigo. Vertigo feels like you or everything around you is spinning – enough to affect your balance. It's more than just feeling dizzy. A vertigo attack can last from a few seconds to hours. If you have severe vertigo, it can last for many days or months.

There are things you can do to ease vertigo symptoms when they're happening, and to reduce the number of episodes you have.

You can lie still in a quiet, dark room to reduce the spinning feeling. Move your head carefully and slowly during daily activities, sit down straight away when you feel dizzy and turn on the lights if you get up at night. If you are at risk of falling use a walking stick to help you.

Sleep with your head slightly raised on two or more pillows – and when you get up to get out of bed, get out slowly and sit on the edge of the bed for a while before standing up. Also – while its hard, try to relax – anxiety can make vertigo worse.

Don't bend over to pick things up – squat to lower yourself instead – and try not to stretch your neck – for example, while reaching up to a high shelf.

If it doesn’t go away or it keeps coming back, see your GP.