Hot tubbing and extra hot baths are a no no if you want to eliminate or prevent varicose or spider veins. Sitting in hot water for long periods of time actually causes your veins to swell. Keep your bath water at a lukewarm temperature or take showers, and avoid hot tubs altogether.
Cold water, such as a cool swimming pool on a hot day, is great for relieving swelling — including the swelling caused by varicose veins! Opt for cold water over hot water when bathing. This can help shrink the blood vessels and minimize swelling. On the flip side, it's also important to avoid hot water.
Epsom salt baths may help improve circulation in the legs and reduce swelling and inflammation associated with varicose veins. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak in the tub for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this remedy every day until your varicose veins have disappeared.
Sometimes the walls of the veins become stretched and lose their elasticity, causing the valves to weaken. If the valves don't function properly, this can cause the blood to leak and flow backwards. If this happens, the blood will collect in your veins, which will become swollen and enlarged.
Varicose veins happen when there is damage to the valves within your veins. These appear as swollen dark-colored veins that are visible just beneath the skin's surface and are most commonly found in the legs. Swollen veins cause blood to flow less efficiently, which leads to poor circulation.
Did you know? You must moisturize your skin twice a day to maintain elasticity and help support cell walls, which can prevent varicose veins. While varicose veins can be hereditary, that doesn't usually mean you're stuck with them forever!
Walking is especially good for people who suffer from varicose veins, due to the fact that walking is a very low-impact workout. There is no jarring or pounding of your legs — just a simple movement that helps strengthen your calf muscles without straining your body.
While exercise won't cure varicose veins, it can help improve your symptoms and reduce your risk of developing more. Walking, biking and swimming are all great low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints and help circulation in varicose veins.
Caffeine can constrict blood vessels and elevate blood pressure. Prolonged, elevated blood pressure can place increased strain on your veins. In turn, this strain can cause damage to the vein valves in your lower extremities.
No. Try to avoid excess heat when managing varicose veins. Heat expands veins and can make swelling and pain worse.
Varicose and spider veins do not just go away on their own, but they can sometimes become less visible. You may also find that symptoms temporarily go away at times, particularly if you lose weight or increase physical activity. However, your vein symptoms will likely return over time.
Increasing blood circulation is essential to treating varicose veins. Massaging with olive oil can help increase circulation, thereby reducing pain and inflammation. Mix equal amounts of olive oil and vitamin E oil and warm it slightly. Massage the veins with the warm oil for several minutes.
Some varicose veins put you at risk for a complication like a blood clot or open sores on your legs. Minimally invasive treatment can get rid of or fade leg veins. Treatment can also diminish symptoms like pain and fatigue and prevent complications.
Myth 4: Massage can cure varicose veins.
“Massage may help reduce swelling or discomfort, but will not make varicose veins go away,” says Dr. Boyle. However, there are proven ways to treat them, especially when they're causing symptoms, such as: Swollen legs, ankles and feet.
Most of all, when it comes to vein health, drinking enough water supports vein health and can aid in preventing varicose veins. Drinking enough water improves blood flow and strengthens the muscles that support your veins, both of which are important for those who suffer from varicose veins.
What to Watch For. If you are experiencing pain or you notice swelling or discoloration of your lower legs, these can be signs of a more serious problem and you should consult a doctor. Other symptoms might include burning, cramping, itching or throbbing in the legs, and some might experience restless leg syndrome.
Vitamin B
There are a variety of B vitamins from the B complex group of vitamins that can help treat and prevent varicose veins by strengthening blood vessels. The B vitamins include thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate (folic acid), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin and pantothenic acid.
Sleeping on your left side
This might be a tough one for some people, but sleeping on your left side is actually the best way to sleep if you have varicose veins. This is because when you sleep on your left side, the pressure is more evenly distributed on your hips vs. your legs.
Venaseal is a new FDA approved technique that uses a medical adhesive to treat varicose veins by sealing closed the abnormal great saphenous vein (GSV). The procedure is performed by placing a thin IV like tube inside the GSV with local anesthetic and positioning it appropriately with ultrasound guidance.
Leaving varicose veins untreated can lead to skin ulcers from small cuts or minor wounds that refuse to heal. The area will swell, and the tension from the veins prevents the swelling from receding. In order to treat the veins, you'll have to first treat the swelling.