Home remedies may help reduce the appearance and discomfort of varicose veins. Examples include exercise dietary changes, massage, elevating the legs, and more.

There are several medical treatments for this condition, though people may also wish to try natural home remedies to relieve their symptoms.

In this article, we look at 10 natural ways to treat varicose veins at home.

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Varicose veins can develop when small valves in the veins become weak. These valves usually stop blood flowing backward through the veins, and when they are damaged, blood can pool in the veins. This causes twisted and swollen veins that also become very visible.

Varicose veins can be noticeable because of their dark blue or purple appearance, they also often bulge out from underneath the skin.

Other symptoms of varicose veins include:

  • burning or throbbing sensation in the legs
  • uncomfortable legs that feel heavy or achy
  • muscle cramps that can be more noticeable at night
  • swelling of the feet and ankles
  • dry or itchy skin that appears thinner over the varicose vein

If a person has varicose veins, they can try the following home remedies to help manage the condition and improve symptoms:

Exercise

Regular exercise encourages better blood circulation in the legs, which helps to push along the blood that has been collected in the veins. Exercise also helps to lower a person’s blood pressure, which is another contributing factor to varicose veins.

Low impact exercises help to get the calf muscles working without excessive strain. Effective, low impact exercises include:

  • swimming
  • walking
  • cycling
  • yoga

Compression stockings

Compression stockings are available from most pharmacies and can help by applying pressure to the legs. This aids the muscles and veins to move blood toward the heart.

A study from 2018 found that people who used knee-high compression stockings with a pressure of 18 to 21 mmHg for one week reported a reduction in the pain and aching associated with varicose veins.

Choose non-restrictive clothing

Wearing tight-fitting clothes can restrict blood flow. A person may find that their circulation is improved by wearing loose-fitting clothes that do not restrict the blood supply to the lower body.

Wearing flat shoes instead of high heels may also help with varicose veins in the legs.

Keep the legs elevated

Keeping the legs elevated, ideally at the same height as the heart or above, will help improve circulation. This reduces the pressure in the leg veins, and gravity will help the blood to flow smoothly back to the heart.

A person should aim to keep their legs elevated if they are going to be sitting down for long periods of time, such as during work or rest.

Massage

Gently massaging the affected areas can help to keep the blood moving through the veins. A person can use gentle massage oils or moisturizers for optimal effects.

It is crucial to avoid pressing directly onto the veins, however, as this may damage fragile tissues.

Avoid sedentary behavior

Avoiding sitting for long periods of time can reduce varicose vein appearance nd prevent occurence. If a person has to sit for long periods of time for work, they should aim to get up and move around or change position frequently to keep the blood flowing smoothly.

Avoid sitting with crossed legs, as this can further restrict blood flow to the legs and feet, which may add to circulation problems.

Lose weight

People who are overweight are more likely to experience varicose veins; therefore, shedding any excess pounds can reduce the pressure on the veins and alleviate swelling and discomfort.

Reduce salt intake

Salty or sodium-rich foods can cause the body to retain water, so reducing salty food can minimize water retention. Foods high in potassium can help to reduce water retention.

Foods that are high in potassium include:

  • almonds and pistachio nuts
  • lentils and white beans
  • potatoes
  • leafy vegetables
  • some fish, such as salmon and tuna

Eat more flavonoids

Adding foods that contain flavonoids may also help a person reduce the appearance of their varicose veins.

Flavonoids improve blood circulation, which will keep the blood flowing and make it less likely to pool in the veins. They also help to reduce blood pressure in the arteries and can relax blood vessels, all of which can reduce varicose veins.

Foods that contain flavonoids include:

  • horse chestnuts
  • vegetables, including onions, bell peppers, spinach, and broccoli
  • citrus fruits and grapes, cherries, apples, and blueberries
  • cocoa
  • garlic

Herbal remedies

According to the National Institute of Health, taking grape seed extract, Vitis vinifera, orally may help to reduce swelling in the lower legs and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, though there is currently limited evidence for its effectiveness.

A person prescribed with blood-thinning medication should avoid taking grape seed extract as a dietary supplement, as it can interact with the medication and increase the risk of bleeding.

Horse chestnut extract, Aesculus hippocastanum L., may help reduce symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, which is a major cause of varicose veins.

Plant extracts and essential oils should be diluted in carrier oils before being applied topically or used in a diffuser for aromatherapy.

If varicose veins home treatments are not working or causing a person severe discomfort, medical treatment is also available to help tackle varicose veins. A doctor may prescribe the following:

  • Endothermal ablation: This is a procedure where heat is used to seal the affected veins.
  • Ambulatory phlebectomy: This is where a doctor will puncture the skin and remove the varicose veins through small slits. Scarring is usually minimal afterward.
  • Sclerotherapy: This procedure uses a particular foam to close the veins and shrink them.
  • Ligation and stripping: In this procedure, the varicose veins are surgically removed.
  • Laser surgeries: Here, intense bursts of light are directed onto the vein, making it gradually fade and disappear.
  • Endoscopic vein surgery: During this surgery, a tiny video camera is inserted into the leg to help the surgeon see better. Removal of the veins then takes place via a series of small incisions.

Below are frequently asked questions relating to varicose veins.

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that often appear as thick blue lines under the skin. Spider veins may appear similar, but are often smaller, closer to the skin’s surface, and may be blue or red.

When should I worry about varicose veins?

If varicose veins cause pain, or do not reduce in severity with home treatments, it is important to contact a healthcare professional for assessment.

Can you reduce varicose veins at home?

Yes — people can try home remedies like exercise, compression socks, massage, and elevating the legs.

Varicose veins can cause discomfort and make a person feel self-conscious. Treating varicose veins at home is possible, and diet and lifestyle changes may improve the symptoms.

People with severe varicose veins may wish to seek medical treatments to help reduce their appearance and improve symptoms.

Talking through the options with a doctor will help an individual make the best and most informed decision about the right treatment for them.

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