Q: If you’re not positive that the skin lesion is a wart, it’s best to have a dermatologist check before you try to treat it yourself. Using at-home wart treatments, especially over-the-counter medications, on lesions that aren’t warts could cause pain or even create serious infections. To get a wart ready for treatment, you need to soften it. The easiest way to do this is to soak it in warm water. Fill a bowl with warm water that is not too hot to submerge your hand in. Keep the wart in this water for approximately 10 minutes. The wart only needs to be soaked for a few minutes to make it soft. If your fingers begin to wrinkle from being submerged, you have already soaked it longer than necessary. To make sure the medication you will apply to it soaks down deep into the wart, you should take the surface of the wart off. Use a small piece of fine-grit sandpaper or a disposable nail file to take the top surface of the wart off.  This process should not hurt but the area can get irritated. If the sanding is too painful, stop doing it and move on to applying the medication. It is important to clean up any skin cells that you remove so that they do not contribute to the spread of the disease. To do this, sand the wart over a surface that can be easily cleaned, such as a bathroom sink. Throw away the item you used to sand the wart after you have used it. Keeping it and using it again can spread the wart virus further. These products typically contain salicylic acid, which is used to irritate the surface of the wart. This treatment is applied to the top of the wart with a brush or dropper applicator. The irritation created by these products is caustic, so use them with caution. Never use them on children under the age of 3. Follow the directions provided on the product's packaging. In general, the directions should include how much to apply, when to apply it, and how long application should go on. There is some evidence that covering a wart in duct tape will help to kill it. The elimination of air flow and light may help kill the cells. The removal of the duct tape every few days also removes layers of the wart, which is also likely to help get rid of it.  You should change the duct tape every day or 2 and place a new piece on the wart. There is some evidence that you can use wart medication and duct tape in combination. Using several treatment methods at once increases the likelihood of your wart going away.
A: Consider having a doctor diagnose the wart if you’re not sure. Soak the wart. Sand the surface of the wart. Apply an over-the-counter wart treatment for people over the age of 3. Consider covering the wart with duct tape.

Article: Reach out to other hotline workers who are coping with the same feelings as stresses as you are to talk about your highs, lows, and problems. You may also end up making some new friends. Following a difficult call, connect with a supervisor or other designated person to help you debrief and address any emotional impact. Reaching out for your own help will help keep you strong and focused to continue to help others. If you are feeling drained, emotionally depleted, or overwhelmed with other stressors in your life, talk to a supervisor at your agency. Let them know you need a break. Because of the stressful nature of suicide hotline work, there should be plans in place to help you manage your stress effectively and avoid burnout.  Learn to recognize your own signs of burnout. These may include symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, detachment, or depression.  You could say, “I have been dealing with so much stress in my life over the past couple of weeks. I don’t think I can do a good job answering calls right now. Can I take a few days off, or work on something that doesn’t require client interaction?” Because you will be giving so much of yourself in order to help callers in places of crisis, be sure that you have effective ways of taking care of yourself. Self-care is an intentional action that meets your physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual need. Self-care looks different for different people. Some ways you might consider meeting your self-are needs include:  Physical needs: Go for a walk, get a massage, or make a special meal for yourself. Mental needs: Take up a new hobby you’ve always wanted to learn, create an art project, or listen to a podcast about something that interests you. Emotional needs: Listen to music that relaxes or inspires you, make a donation to charity, or attend a support group meeting. Social needs: Call your loved ones, go out to dinner with friends, or smile at strangers and strike up conversations. Spiritual needs: Attend a religious service if you are religious, meditate, pray, or connect with nature.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Talk to other staff members or volunteers. Take a break if needed. Practice self-care.

Q: Endangered animals can seem like a far-away problem, but there are likely threatened species, from birds to bears to bugs, in your own neighborhood.   Invasive plants that overrun native vegetation and invasive animals without existing predators can combine to devastate native animal populations. Note the difference between invasive and non-native species; invasive refers specifically to species that thrive and overtake native species. Many non-native plants and animals are just fine. In fact most of our animal and plant foods are not native. When planting, choose plants and flowers that are native to the area.  Native vegetation is more likely to attract native birds, butterflies and other insects, and other animals that may be endangered. Remove invasive weeds and non-native plantings in favor of local varieties. Build bird feeders suited to native species. Eliminate the use of chemical pesticides in your yard or garden in favor of natural deterrents.  Give your local threatened or endangered species a fighting chance to thrive without dealing with unnecessary toxins.  Water runoff can spread pesticide chemicals far from your home as well, so you will be benefiting a larger habitat than you might think.  "Integrated pest management" is an option that relies on "natural" ways to combat pests and unwanted plants. If, for example, you have an aphid problem, try attracting lady bugs that feed on aphids. The feeling among people who practice permaculture (and others as well)is that if you have an abundance of snails or slugs in your garden, the problem isn't the abundance of snails and slugs, it's the lack of ducks who would eat the snails and slugs and keep them in check. Also, start composting to create natural, ultra-locally sourced fertilizer instead of relying on chemical-laced, long-distance hauled store brands. Many people dream of having the huge backyard with the pristine green lawn, but the growing encroachment of humans into wildlife habitats is a major cause of species endangerment.  Consider turning your yard into an edible landscape. In drought-stricken areas like California, focusing on using native and/or drought adapted plants can help animal species survive. When it is time to move to a new home, think carefully about the amount of space you really need.  Also consider the benefits of a smaller space (less mowing, for one!) as well as living in an area of existing development rather than a newly-carved suburban enclave. If moving is not on your to-do list, consider whether it is possible for you to reduce your footprint on your own property.  Would you be able to permit part of your land to return to a more natural state -- for instance, by replacing lawn space with native plantings that you allow to grow freely?
A:
Look for local species that need help. Grow naturally. Consider your space needs.