I am in my 80s and am plagued with many warts all over my body. I have been assured they are not malignant, but they are unsightly and sometimes itch. Is there anything I could take or use on them? I did read somewhere that thuja tincture can help. I would be grateful for your advice.

Seborrhoeic warts are benign growths on the skin. They are very common and age-related - starting at the age of about 40. Most elderly people will have at least a few seborrhoeic warts. They are not infectious and do not become malignant. The application of creams will not clear seborrhoeic warts, but moisturisers help to decrease the itching. They can be removed either by freezing them with liquid nitrogen or scraping them off under a local anaesthetic by your GP or dermatologist but, because they are very common and benign, this treatment is usually restricted to those warts that are persistently troublesome. You are right, thuja is marketed for treating warts. There is, however, no convincing evidence it is helpful.

I have suffered cystitis for more than 10 years, and it is apparently associated with kidney stones. At the start of each attack, I suffer pain, nausea and general debility. During the high point of an attack my activities are severely curtailed. I always carry with me a five-day course of antibiotics. Can you offer any suggestions?

As a result of infection, inflammation of the bladder - cystitis - can occur. Cystitis is much more common in women than in men. It is more common in pregnant and postmenopausal women, but it can occur at any age. Many women have at least one attack of cystitis in their lives. For preventing urinary tract infections, drinking cranberry juice is sometimes recommended and there is some evidence it is helpful. For treating manifest infections, however, which you seem to have, it is not effective. You should see your GP for advice, particularly with regards to the kidney stones you mention.

· Max H Pittler is deputy director of complementary medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, and author of The Desktop Guide To Complementary And Alternative Medicine (Mosby). Before following Max's recommendations, you should consult your GP about any medical problems or special health conditions. Send your questions to Wellbeing, Guardian Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Email: ask.max@theguardian.com.