Spider and varicose veins are often a problem for those who have been on their feet all day. Spider veins are smaller, more superficial, while varicose veins can be larger and deeper with a blue-purple cast to them. Both are found mainly on the legs.
If you’re experiencing spider or varicose veins then this is the blog post for you. Here we will talk about treatments that may help your condition. Read on.
What are spider and varicose veins, and what causes them
These vein issues occur when a person has vein damage, usually in their legs. The walls of the veins become weakened and thinner as we age while pressure on the veins from prolonged standing, a family history of blood clots or pregnancy can also make matters worse by speeding up the deterioration process.
This causes veins to enlarge and bulge out like varicosities, or appear as dark blue or red spidery lines closer to the skin’s surface.
These vein problems can occur in any part of your leg but are most commonly found on the backs of your knees, in your calves, feet and ankles as well as on your thighs. The good news is that treatments for both spider and varicose veins become more effective the earlier they are started.
How can you get rid of spider and varicose veins naturally?
There are a number of natural ways you can improve and treat these vein problems. Some options include a healthy diet that is low in sodium, sugar, alcohol and fried foods. This helps to reduce the amount of excess fluid in your body that causes veins to swell. Additionally, eat a diet of antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Exercising daily such as walking or swimming can help improve your circulation and leg strength. This also helps rid the body of excess fluid which reduces the pressure on your veins, relieving them of their burdensome workload.
Using certain herbs like Horse Chestnut, Butcher’s Broom, and Ginkgo Biloba have been shown to improve circulation while strengthening veins. Massaging the affected areas with essential oils can help to reduce swelling. Using essential oils such as lavender oil can help ease pain from swollen veins as well as improve your mood at the same time.
How to treat spider and varicose veins with medication and other procedures
If a doctor has determined you have more severe vein damage, then they may recommend another course of treatment. The two most common treatments The Vein Doctor may recommend to someone afflicted with varicose veins include:
- Sclerotherapy- this is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting an irritant solution into the vein walls which damages them so badly they collapse and fade away on their own.
- Ultrasound Assisted- this type of treatment uses ultrasound waves to damage the vein walls so they fade away naturally.
- Microsclerotherapy is another treatment that involves a slightly more invasive procedure where a needle will be used to inject an irritant solution into your vein, but it doesn’t have the same discomfort as sclerotherapy.
Depending on how severe your condition is, your doctor may recommend surgery. This procedure can take a couple of hours and includes injecting a sclerosing agent into the veins making them shrink and disappear. It’s possible for some minor bleeding to occur during this treatment but it usually subsides quickly.
How to prevent the formation of new spider or varicose vein problems in the future
These ailments could be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising daily and making sure you wear support stockings when out on your feet for extended periods of time.
Get in the habit of rotating your legs whenever possible so you give them a much needed break from standing for hours at a time and maintain proper hydration.
Tips for living with a diagnosis of Spider or Varicose Veins (self-care)
If you have to live with either condition then it is important to take some preventative measures and care for yourself.
- Make sure you exercise daily, but avoid anything that will put excess strain on your legs as this can aggravate your veins further. Swimming or walking are great alternatives.
- Avoid standing in one spot for too long, even if you have to make a quick trip to the bathroom, just step away for a few minutes and give your legs a break.
- Try to avoid wearing high heels or any shoes that are too tight around your feet or ankles as these can restrict blood flow from the lower parts of your body which in turn puts increased strain on your veins.
- Always wear supportive stockings such as compression hose and make sure they are the correct fit so there is no possibility of slipping or bunching which could result in further injury.
- Don’t sit for extended periods of time as this puts a lot of strain on your legs. Try to get up every hour to give them a break.
In this blog post, we have discussed the most common causes of spider and varicose veins. We’ve talked about what treatments are available. If you believe that you may have these types of vein problems you should consider trying the method we’ve spoken about here as well as speaking to a professional.
