It’s summertime, the weather’s hot and sunny, and shorts and bathing suits are back in style. Finally, we can wear light, loose, and more revealing clothing! However, many of us feel uncomfortable baring our legs for two reasons: varicose veins and spider veins.
A varicose vein is a large, swollen, twisted vein that is close to the surface of the skin. This could occur anywhere in your body, but is seen most frequently in the legs and feet. Remember that it’s the veins that return the blood back to the heart, so it can be recirculated. This means that the veins in your legs are under a lot of pressure, as they have to work upward against gravity.
Over time, the vein walls weaken and stretch out, and the tiny valves involved in the whole blood-flow process can break down and let the blood flow backward. When this happens, the blood collects in your vein(s), creating the varicose condition. Spider veins are fine, mini versions of varicose veins. They do not bulge out like the latter or cause any discomfort.
For some people, varicose veins are painful and itchy; for everybody who has them, they’re unsightly and embarrassing. So, what can you do?
First of all, if you’re a woman, you can check into hormonal causes, such as menopause, pregnancy, and medications containing estrogen or progesterone. However, do not stop taking any drugs you’ve been prescribed without seeing your doctor first.
Another huge factor in the risk for varicose/spider veins, other than age, is being overweight. Vein health is just one more reason to start looking into dropping those extra pounds. Work with your doctor to determine a healthy weight loss plan for you and don’t forget to replace all those empty calories with tons of fruits and vegetables.
It’s also essential to exercise. Not only will it help you slim down faster, but it will also improve the circulation in your legs. Better circulation means a lesser chance that those ugly, blue veins will pop out.
When it comes to circulation, people who sit or stand for extended periods of time can also be prone to varicose or spider veins. So, if you have a job where you’re required to stand constantly, ask if you can take a few minutes to sit down every now and then, or you can alternate positions frequently to change it up.
The same goes if you spend most of your time sitting — get up and get moving. You might see a difference in your legs’ condition as a result. You should also put your feet up when sitting so as to make circulation easier for those overworked veins. For extra help, you can buy special elastic support hose at your local pharmacy.
Spider veins can be related to overexposure to the sun, especially in people with fair skin. For this reason (among others), it’s obviously important to protect your body when you’re outside. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should stay indoors or in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Also, always wear a hat and a good coating of at least SPF 15 sunscreen when you are outside.
In addition to losing weight, you need to reduce your salt intake, as it can cause your body to retain water, which leads to swelling. Upping your intake of fiber is also a must, as it’s been theorized that constipation could be a hidden cause of varicose and spider veins.
On the herbal front, you can try horse chestnut, which is known for boosting vein health and treating swelling. Grape seed extract could also be helpful, as it contains “oligomeric proanthocyanidins,” which are antioxidants that promote good vein health.
Note that varicose veins can be a sign of a more serious health problem — for example, “thrombophlebitis,” which is where a blood clot and/or inflammation occur in a vein — so it’s important to have your doctor check out your veins, especially if they’re painful or suddenly hurt. If these strategies don’t work for you, there are also some procedures that can remove those ugly veins — but be prepared, they’re not cheap!
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