Can You Remove Varicose Veins At Home?
April 17, 2021
Nobody Likes Varicose Veins, Here’s How to Get Rid of Them
Varicose veins are problematic for a few reasons. One, the twisting, bulging nature of them makes them unsightly, and many people are self-conscious about this and work to keep them covered. Two, they could be tied to underlying vein disease. And three, many people experience a burning sensation or discomfort in and around the vein. Due to these reasons, many people seek treatment for their varicose veins. However, in order to successfully treat varicose veins, such treatment must be carried out by a qualified vein specialist.Unfortunately, Only Medical Treatment is Effective
Despite any rumors that you may have heard, it’s important to know that only medical treatment can successfully remove varicose veins. In other words, there are no effective at-home remedies available. This, however, doesn’t mean that you can’t take some steps around your home to slow the growth and minimize any discomfort from varicose veins. We’ll get into that in the next section.Slowing The Growth of Varicose Veins
So while you’ll need to see a vein specialist to have varicose veins successfully treated, there are some things you can do around the home to slow their growth and ease any discomfort. Here’s a closer look at what you can do:- Elevate your legs: Doing this can alleviate pressure in your legs and help with blood circulation.
- Put on compression socks: While wearing compression socks may not necessarily slow growth, they are helpful for reducing any discomfort that may be experienced from varicose veins.
- Exercise: Low-impact workouts — like swimming, walking or biking — are ideal to help get your blood flowing.
- Live a healthier lifestyle: One of the biggest risk factors for varicose vein development is obesity, as excess weight puts more pressure on the lower extremities where varicose veins form. Adopting a healthier lifestyle can help slow vein development.
Types of Treatments for Varicose Veins
While varicose veins cannot be treated at home, the good news is that vein specialists have a wide range of safe, minimally-invasive options at their disposal to effectively and efficiently remove them. Some of these treatments include:- Laser treatments: Laser ablation and endovenous laser therapy (ELT) are two procedures that are often administered to scar and destroy problematic veins. While laser therapy is performed by applying laser energy to the skin, ELT consists of inserting a laser fiber into the vein itself.
- Sclerotherapy: This procedure works by injecting a chemical into the vein, which thereby works to damage and close off the vein. It’s an ideal procedure for small to medium-sized veins.
- Phlebectomy: This is a vein removal procedure that consists of making small incisions in the skin around the vein, and then removing the vein through these incisions. It’s a preferred treatment for larger veins.