The internet is often the first place we go to look for answers, especially when it comes to our health. If you are looking for ways to get rid of your spider veins or varicose veins, Dr. Google probably recommended a litany of at-home remedies, but none of them really did the trick. Dr. Let’s dig deeper into some of the most common “remedies” floating around on the web to understand why they didn’t help and how they can actually make your conditions worse.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have risen in popularity and accessibility, as they are extremely versatile. They can help with aromatherapy, cuts and scrapes, cleaning, and can alleviate some of the pain and discomfort associated with spider veins and varicose veins. However, this is only a temporary effect, and some experts believe this relief may even be due to the placebo effect.
Although they may seem harmless and all-natural, they can sometimes do more harm than good because of their potency and concentration. The skin around varicose veins is quite thin and tender, so using essential oils in high concentrations on these fragile areas can lead to many symptoms of allergic reactions, including rashes, irritation, skin inflammation, hives, and shortness of breath.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Witch Hazel
In the last decade, apple cider vinegar, also known as ACV, has made waves in holistic health for being nature’s cure for almost anything, including pain, swelling, digestive blocks, and metabolic issues. There is no proven research showing that apple cider vinegar can treat varicose veins, but there are many unfounded claims that dipping gauze in apple cider vinegar and putting it on the veins can help the swelling go down. However, there is no known benefit to applying ACV to the skin.
Another popular natural remedy is witch hazel, a yellow-flowered shrub that is said to decrease inflammation or strengthen blood vessels, which theoretically would help heal spider veins or varicose veins. But witch hazel, similar to apple cider vinegar, does not have any scientific research backing up these claims. In fact, there is no ingestible root, fruit, or herb that can completely cure spider veins or varicose veins, because only medical treatment from an experienced vein doctor at a vein treatment center can do that.
There are still some ways to adjust your diet to keep your vein disease from progressing further, even if they don’t provide a definitive cure. You can implement these tips both before and after your medical treatment at a spider vein center.
Taste the Rainbow
A great way to ensure that you are getting all of the essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that your body needs is by including an array of colorful fruits and vegetables in your diet. Try to eat your fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible to reduce inflammation and encourage blood flow, because a lot of beneficial vitamins and nutrients get lost in the cooking process.
Choosing fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber can help soften your stools and promote bowel movement, which can help you avoid constipation that can increase pressure on your veins. Having some healthy options prepped in your refrigerator, like cut fruit or a leafy salad will do wonders for your nutrition and overall health.
Manage Salt Levels
While salt is definitely important for your body to function at its best, it is important to keep everything in moderation.Cut down on your consumption of foods that are high in salt, like pickled and canned goods for example. Regulating your salt intake alleviates water retention, which lowers blood pressure and promotes healthy blood flow, thus preventing vein disease from progressing. Limiting salty foods in your diet coupled with drinking lots of water to help your body flush out extra salts can lower blood pressure in your veins.
Minimally-Invasive Treatment
These dietary recommendations can help prevent vein disease from worsening, but the only true cure is a minimally-invasive procedure performed by a vein doctor. For visible spider vein treatment, sclerotherapy involves tiny needles to inject medicine that significantly improves the appearance of spider veins in just one month. Saphenous veins that cause varicose veins can be targeted using VenaSeal, radiofrequency ablation, or varithena.
VenaSeal is a new FDA-approved vein adhesive used to close the saphenous vein in the leg that causes varicose veins. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy to close down the walls of the damaged vein. Varithena is a sclerotherapy foam injected into the damaged vein to reduce the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins. All of these treatment options take less than a half-hour and cause minimal discomfort. You can go home or back to work after the procedure at the vein treatment clinic because there is no anesthesia or recovery time involved.
Find a Vein Doctor NYC!
If you have spider veins or varicose veins, and need to determine if you have a vein disease, it is essential to set up an appointment with a vein specialist in venous medicine to minimize damage to the veins and prevent further problems down the road. If you are looking for a “vein doctor NYC,” you can contact us at the Vein Treatment Clinic location in New York City, conveniently located in the heart of New York in Midtown, near notable landmarks such as Hudson Yard and Bryant Park. Our vein treatment center is easily accessible, as it is in close vicinity to both Grand Central Station and Penn Station.
You can schedule your consultation with any of our incredible vein doctors and be assured of the highest-quality care. Dr. Sareh Rajaee is a Yale-trained vascular surgeon with extensive experience in vein and arterial disease. Dr. Juan Montoya is a Yale-trained double board-certified specialist in venous medicine and cardiothoracic surgery, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. They prioritize patient care and strive to provide treatment with compassion and professionalism. Click here for directions and check out the Vein Treatment Clinic location in New York City for vein treatment today!