You’re looking at your legs and wondering if there’s anything you can do about the varicose veins on them. The good news is that vein self-care can help manage symptoms of varicose veins and other vein concerns, including chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
Vein problems are often caused by weakened veins and poor circulation, so improving blood flow and muscle tone can help manage your symptoms and keep vein problems from getting worse.
The following are our top 10 tips for treating varicose veins at home.
1. Wear compression stockings for varicose veins
When your body isn’t circulating blood, it tends to follow the path of gravity and collect in your lower legs, which is why this area is the most common for varicose veins.
Compression stockings for varicose veins are helpful because they gently squeeze your legs. This helps push blood up towards your heart, so it’s less likely to collect in your legs. Compression stockings help manage symptoms such as swelling and discomfort. They can also keep varicose veins from getting worse and make it less likely that you’ll develop new ones.
There are many different types of compression stockings. Some are available at stores and online without a prescription, and these are usually a good place to start. If your doctor thinks you could benefit from stronger or more targeted compression, they might write you a prescription.
When you’re pregnant, varicose veins can show up in different places. If you have painful varicose veins during your pregnancy, ask your doctor if they can recommend compression garments to relieve your symptoms.
2. Get regular exercise to improve blood circulation for varicose veins
Exercise can’t eliminate vein problems, but it can ease your symptoms and temporarily make your varicose veins look better. The reason why exercise for varicose veins works is that it helps improve blood circulation. Some types of exercise that are good for varicose veins include walking, cycling and yoga. Try to get at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate exercise each week.
3. Follow a nutritious, high-fiber, low-salt diet to improve overall vein health
A diet that’s filled with heart-healthy foods and fiber can improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation and improve overall vein health. The best diet for varicose veins is packed with:
- Nutrient-rich fruits and veggies – Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables for the greatest benefit. These nutrient powerhouses are filled with the antioxidants, bioflavonoids, vitamins and minerals that your body needs for vein health. Nutrients that can be especially good for your veins include potassium and vitamin C, so make room in your diet for bananas, potatoes, carrots and citrus fruits.
- High-fiber foods – Getting enough fiber helps to prevent constipation, so you don’t need to strain your lower body when you go to the bathroom. Great sources of fiber include whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Low-salt foods – Too much salt can lead to water retention, which can cause swelling, discomfort and additional pressure on your veins. One of the easiest ways to lower salt intake is to reduce the number of packaged foods you eat since those tend to be high in sodium.
4. Stay hydrated to help prevent varicose veins from getting worse
Hydration is incredibly important for vein health and can keep varicose veins from getting worse. When you’re sufficiently hydrated, your blood is thinner so it’s easier for your body to circulate and is less likely to clot. Appropriate hydration also makes your veins more elastic so they’re better able to handle the pressure of blood flow and less likely to bulge.
Aim to drink about eight glasses of water throughout the day, especially when you’re thirsty. The color of your pee can be a sign that you’re drinking enough. Your urine should be pale yellow – if it’s darker than that, you need to drink more.
5. Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce your chance of developing more varicose veins
There’s a connection between being overweight and having varicose veins. But managing your weight isn’t always easy, even if you get regular exercise and follow a healthy diet. Talk to your doctor if you’d like help losing weight. They can recommend healthy changes to what you eat and do, and if appropriate, they can also refer you for nutrition counseling or medical weight loss.
6. Avoid long periods of standing or sitting if you can
When you stand or sit for a long time, blood can pool in your legs. Try to move around if you have to sit or stand for long periods. Flexing and stretching your legs can also help keep the blood flowing.
What to do if you stand a lot
- Take a break every 2-3 hours – If possible, sit for a few minutes with your legs elevated above your heart.
- Stand in a different position – When standing, move as much as possible. If you can’t walk around, periodically shift your position so that one leg bears all of your weight.
- Stretch while standing – A good way to stretch your muscles is to rock back and forth from your heels to your toes. Another option is to kick each leg backwards, as if you were trying to get your heel to touch your butt.
What to do if you sit a lot
- Get up every hour – It’s best to get up at least once an hour and walk around for a few minutes.
- Stretch while sitting – Throughout the day, stretch your legs while sitting down. One stretch to try is an “ankle pump” which is where you flex your feet up and down to engage your calf muscles.
- Don’t cross your legs while sitting – Crossing your legs can affect circulation. If possible, keep your legs elevated while sitting to improve blood flow.
7. Pamper your skin to improve the appearance of varicose veins
Having a daily skincare routine is a simple way to manage varicose vein symptoms such as dry, itchy skin and inflammation. Plus, you’ll be more likely to spot potential concerns, such as increased swelling, changes in skin color, and new or nonhealing wounds. If you think your condition is getting worse, make a primary care appointment or schedule a vein screening.
Treatment creams for varicose veins
There are many creams that are specifically marketed for varicose vein treatment. These creams typically contain herbal extracts like witch hazel, arnica and gotu kola, horse chestnut, troxerutin and vitamin K. These creams tend to be safe and are generally good at reducing dryness and itchiness. However, there’s no real proof that these creams improve vein health.
Varicose vein treatment creams can be pretty costly and it’s likely that you’ll be able to get the same benefits from a lower-cost option. When choosing a cream for varicose veins, look for one that heals dry skin and that’s free from fragrances, dyes and alcohol.
Essential oils for varicose veins
Some people enjoy using essential oils for varicose vein self-care. It’s also possible that essential oils may improve local blood circulation, but there’s not strong clinical proof of that.
The essential oils most often used for varicose veins include lavender, rosemary, cypress, German chamomile and grape vine. It’s best to dilute the oil before putting it on your skin since undiluted essential oils can cause irritation or inflammation.
One way to use diluted essential oils is to add a couple of drops to the water you’re using for a hot or cold compress. You could also add the essential oil to a carrier oil like olive oil before massaging it into your skin.
8. Try gentle massage for varicose vein pain and swelling
Massage can temporarily reduce vein swelling and discomfort. But it’s important to do varicose veins massage correctly because your symptoms may get worse if you do it wrong.
Vein massage should be done by someone experienced working with varicose veins. In fact, some massage providers may even have policies against massaging varicose veins because of potential complications.
9. Ask your doctor about herbal supplements for varicose veins
You may have heard about herbal supplements that help with varicose veins. These include grape seed extract, horse chestnut seed extract, pot marigold, prickly ash and butcher’s broom root. But the truth is that it’s usually best to avoid herbal supplements for varicose veins.
Based on clinical studies, most of these herbal supplements don’t help that much with varicose vein symptoms. And some of these products can actually cause side-effects, like stomach problems.
If you’re interested in herbal supplements for varicose veins, talk to your doctor. They’ll want to know all the prescriptions and over-the-counter supplements you take. This will help them make sure there aren’t negative interactions between medications.
10. Consider vein procedures or varicose vein surgery
Varicose veins get worse over time, and it’s not always possible to manage symptoms with self-care. There are different varicose vein treatments your doctor may recommend, including:
- Sclerotherapy – A chemical is injected into the varicose vein, causing it to harden, scar and close so it no longer fills with blood.
- Thermal ablation – A laser is used to send light and heat into the varicose vein, causing the vein to close.
- Radiofrequency ablation – A thin tube is put into the varicose vein. Intense beams of energy are sent through the tube, causing the walls of the varicose vein to collapse and close off.
- Surgery to remove varicose veins – Surgery to remove varicose veins is usually minimally invasive and performed through small incisions.
What happens if varicose veins are left untreated?
Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue. They’re a medical condition and may get worse over time. While it’s often possible to treat varicose veins at home, talk to a vein specialist if they seem to be getting worse. You can ask your primary care doctor for recommendations or schedule a vein screening without a referral.
Head to urgent care if you are in serious pain or experiencing symptoms of circulation problems, like numbness, tingling or stinging in your limbs.
