How do I get rid of varicose veins on my upper thighs?
Sclerotherapy: This is the most common treatment for leg veins. Over the years, dermatologists have improved sclerotherapy to make it safer and give patients better results. Today, dermatologists use it to treat spider and small varicose veins.
How do you treat inner thigh varicose veins?
Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for both spider and varicose veins. A salt (saline) or chemical solution is injected into the varicose veins. They no longer carry blood. And, other veins take over.
What causes varicose veins in thighs?
Varicose veins may be caused by weakened valves (incompetent valves) within the veins that allow blood to pool in the veins instead of traveling to the heart. Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins. Any vein that is close to the skin's surface (superficial) can become varicosed.
How do you get rid of veins on your thighs?
Lifestyle and home remediesExercise. Get moving. ... Manage weight. Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off the veins.Avoid salt. Follow a low-salt diet to prevent swelling caused from water retention.Choose proper footwear. ... Avoid tight clothing. ... Raise the legs. ... Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.
What happens if varicose veins are left untreated?
If left untreated, varicose veins usually result in excess blood leaking into the tissues of the leg. The patient will experience painful swelling and inflammation as parts of their skin become dark and discolored. This condition is known ashyperpigmentation.
What is the best cream to use for varicose veins?
Topical arnica comes in cream (or gel ointment) that can be applied to the skin overlying inflamed or painful varicose veins.
Is walking good for varicose veins?
While exercise won't cure varicose veins, it can help improve your symptoms and reduce your risk of developing more. Walking, biking and swimming are all great low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints and help circulation in varicose veins.
How can I get rid of varicose veins without surgery?
The Best Non-Surgical Treatments for Varicose Veins Low-impact aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, and biking gently work the calf muscles, helping the veins move blood along. If you work at a job where you sit or stand for long hours, take frequent breaks to walk around to stimulate the calf muscles.
What are the best vitamins for varicose veins?
Vitamin K. Vitamin K has been increasing in popularity in preventing varicose veins. It is recommended to use it topically, like in a cream. Vitamin K is an anticoagulant, meaning it helps prevent blood clots to keep blood flowing smoothly through the veins.
Can you massage varicose veins?
Myth 4: Massage can cure varicose veins. “Massage may help reduce swelling or discomfort, but will not make varicose veins go away,” says Dr. Boyle. However, there are proven ways to treat them, especially when they're causing symptoms, such as: Swollen legs, ankles and feet.
Can varicose veins go away?
Varicose veins won't go away or improve. They may worsen over time. This is why it is important to maintain a healthy body with diet and exercise. Losing weight can improve a person's health and quality of life, but it won't get rid of or stop varicose veins from appearing.
How can I stop varicose veins getting worse?
How to Prevent Varicose Veins from Getting WorseExercise regularly. Your leg muscles are your biggest allies. ... Lose weight if you're overweight. ... Avoid standing or sitting for a long time. ... Don't wear tight-fitting clothes. ... Be sure to put your feet up. ... Wear support pantyhose. ... Invest in a compression hose.
How to reduce veins in legs?
These treatments can reduce their appearance and relieve discomfort: Elevation: To increase blood flow and decrease pressure in the veins, you should elevate your legs above your waist several times throughout the day. Elastic stockings: Supportive stock ings or socks compress the veins and reduce discomfort.
How to tell if you have varicose veins?
The most recognizable sign of varicose veins is a gnarled, blue or purple vein just under the skin’s surface. Symptoms include: Bulging veins: Twisted, swollen, rope-like veins are often blue or purple. They appear just below the surface of the skin on the legs, ankles and feet. They can develop in clusters.
What is the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?
What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins and spider veins are both types of venous disease, but they look different. Spider veins are smaller and thinner than varicose veins. They look like a red or blue spider webs or branches of a tree, and they are close to the skin’s surface.
Why do my legs feel sore?
Heavy legs: Muscles in the legs may feel tired, heavy or sluggish, especially after physical activity. Itching: The area around the varicose veins may itch. Pain: Legs may be painful, achy or sore, especially behind the knees. You might have muscle cramps. Swelling: The legs, ankles and feet can swell and throb.
Why do veins get bigger?
Varicose veins occur when the walls of veins become weakened. As blood pressure in the vein increases, the weakened walls allow the vein to get bigger. As the vein stretches, the valves in the vein can’t work like they should. Sluggish blood backs up or pools in the vein, causing the vein to swell, bulge and twist.
What are purple veins?
Varicose Veins. Varicose veins are twisted, blue or purple veins that bulge under the skin’s surface. They don’t usually cause serious health problems. If veins are painful or bleeding, or if the area is swollen, see your healthcare provider.
What is the procedure called when you strip a vein?
Vein surgery: During these procedures, also called ligation and stripping, the surgeon ties off the affected vein (ligation) to stop blood from pooling. The surgeon may remove (strip) the vein to prevent varicose veins from reappearing.
How to stop varicose veins from getting worse?
Self-care — such as exercise, elevating your legs or wearing compression stockings — can help you ease the pain of varicose veins and may prevent them from getting worse. But if you're concerned about how your veins look and feel and self-care measures haven't stopped your condition from getting worse, see your doctor.
What causes varicose veins?
Weak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues, and veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can be recirculated. To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, ...
Why do veins return blood to the heart?
To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity. Varicose veins may be caused by weakened valves (incompetent valves) within the veins that allow blood to pool in your veins instead of traveling to your heart.
How do you know if you have varicose veins?
Signs you may have varicose veins include: Veins that appear twisted and bulging; they are often like cords on your legs. When painful signs and symptoms occur, they may include: Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they're smaller.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins. Spider veins appear as thin, red lines or as weblike networks of blood vessels on the surface of the skin. Spider veins, a mild form of varicose veins, typically appear on the legs and feet. Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins.
Why do veins wear out?
Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins that help regulate blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to allow some blood to flow back into your veins where it collects instead of flowing up to your heart. Sex. Women are more likely to develop the condition.
What is the function of the muscles in the legs?
Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to your heart. Tiny valves in your veins open as blood flows toward your heart then close to stop blood from flowing backward.
What is the color of varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins with a rope-like appearance. They’re usually purple or blue in color, occur right beneath your skin, and typically affect your legs and feet. Up to 23 percent of all adults are affected by this venous disease in the U.S. About 33 million of these people are older, with ages ranging between 40 and 80.
How old are people with varicose veins?
About 33 million of these people are older, with ages ranging between 40 and 80. Varicose veins are caused by malfunctioning valves in your veins that are unable to bring blood back to your heart effectively as they work against gravity. Learn about treatment options for varicose veins ».
What does it feel like to have a throbbing leg?
In general, various symptoms contribute to the overall feeling of pain and discomfort: feeling of heavy, achy legs. muscle cramps. feeling of throbbing and burning in your legs. swelling in your calves and around your ankles. discomfort around a particular area of veins. All these symptoms usually become more bothersome during warm days.
How to get rid of calf pain?
Exercise and stretch your legs. Short exercise to stretch your calf muscles a few times a day could also be helpful. Flex your feet frequently, especially during long trips when your leg room is limited. If you have to sit or stand in your job, change position at least every 30 minutes and bend knees regularly.
Is varicose veins a cosmetic concern?
For some, varicose veins are only a cosmetic concern. There is no evidence#N#Trusted Source#N#of a direct link between the appearance of varicose veins and the discomfort they cause. In fact, the large, twisting veins may cause no discomfort whatsoever, while damaged veins that are less visible can become extremely painful.
Can compression hosiery help with achy legs?
Putting on compression stockings in the morning before you start walking is key to enjoying the benefits. Once blood starts pooling around your ankles, even compression hosiery won’t be as effective for helping heavy, achy legs.
Can you take hot baths with leg cramps?
This should alleviate swelling and the associated feeling of heaviness, as well as overall discomfort and leg cramps. Avoid taking hot baths and spending time in hot tubs. Heat has a negative effect on your veins, and the throbbing pain can become even worse if you spend too much time in hot water.
How to stop varicose veins from getting worse?
You can make lifestyle changes that may keep your varicose veins from getting worse, stop new ones from forming, and reduce your pain. Be sure you exercise. This helps the blood move through your veins. Talk to your doctor before you start any new activity.
How to stop blood pressure in the veins?
When you sit, don’t cross your legs. Prop your legs up when sitting, resting, or sleeping. When you can, raise them above the level of your heart. If you’re overweight, try to drop some pounds. This will reduce the pressure on your veins.
How do you know if you have varicose veins?
You may not like the way your varicose veins look, but the issues that come with them are usually uncomfortable rather than serious. In addition to the knotted, ropy veins, other symptoms include: Color changes in your skin. Sores or rashes on your legs. A heavy, aching, or burning feeling in your legs.
Why do my veins bleed?
Minor bumps can cause veins to burst and bleed. But varicose veins can sometimes be linked to more serious health problems, such as: Venous stasis ulcers. These are sores that form when a vein doesn’t properly drain fluid from the surrounding area and your skin doesn’t get enough oxygen. Phlebitis.
Why do veins weaken as you get older?
Age (Valves in the veins naturally begin to weaken because of wear and tear as you get older.) Your sex (Four times more women than men will develop varicose veins.) Pregnancy. (Varicose veins usually improve 3 months to a year after delivery.) Lack of exercise.
Where do varicose veins form?
Varicose veins appear most often in the legs. They form when valves in your veins weaken and blood that should be pumped back up toward your heart pools instead in the veins. Your veins then become enlarged and can look knotted or ropy. But, you might also have varicose veins that aren’t as close to the surface of your skin and not so easily seen.
How to prevent blood pooling?
Compression Stockings. These can help by squeezing the veins to prevent blood from pooling. They work best if you wear them every day. You can try a low-tech version by wearing support pantyhose, which offer some of the same compression effect. You can buy compression stockings over the counter at drug stores.
How to prevent varicose veins?
Self-care tips can help prevent new varicose and spider veins but cannot get rid of existing ones. Compression stockings: These stockings apply steady pressure to help move the blood back to your heart. The steady pressure also lessens swelling in your lower legs and reduces the risk of getting a blood clot.
How to treat a swollen vein?
This is what happens during these treatments: 1 You receive local anesthesia, which numbs the area to be treated. The anesthesia also causes the area to swell. 2 Your dermatologist then makes a small incision and inserts a laser fiber (for EVLT) or catheter (for RFA) into the vein. 3 Your dermatologist activates the laser or radiofrequency device, which heats up the vein, causing it to collapse and seal shut. The heat does not harm the surrounding area. 4 After treatment, a compression stocking will be placed on each leg. 5 You are observed for a time and then able to go home. 6 To help prevent possible side effects, you will need to take daily walks and wear the compression stockings as directed. Most patients wear the compression stockings for 1 to 2 weeks. 7 You can return to work and most activities the next day.
How long does it take for spider veins to go away?
This improves circulation in the treated leg and reduces swelling. Spider veins usually disappear in 3 to 6 weeks. Varicose veins take 3 to 4 months. To get the best results, you may need 2 or 3 treatments. A dermatologist can perform these treatments during an office visit. No anesthesia is needed.
What to do after a syringe injection?
After the injections, your dermatologist may massage the area. A compression stocking is then placed on each leg. You will be observed for a time and then be able to go home. To help prevent possible side effects, you will need to take daily walks and wear the compression stockings as directed.
Why do veins bulge?
Extra blood in the vein puts pressure on the walls of the vein. With continual pressure, the vein walls weaken and bulge. In time, we see a varicose or spider vein. Some people have a higher risk of developing these veins. If blood relatives have them, you have a higher risk.
Why do you need a physical exam for leg veins?
During the physical exam, your dermatologist will look closely at your leg veins and ask about your medical history.
How long do you wear compression stockings after sclerotonin?
Most patients wear the compression stockings for 2 to 3 weeks. You can return to work and most activities the next day. Sclerotherapy causes the walls of the vein to stick together, so the blood cannot flow through it anymore. This improves circulation in the treated leg and reduces swelling.
Diagnosis
- Your health care provider will do a physical exam, including looking at your legs while you're standing to check for swelling. Your provider might also ask you to describe pain and aching in your legs.
Treatment
- Treatment for varicose veins may include self-care measures, compression stockings, and surgeries or procedures. Procedures to treat varicose veins are often done as an outpatient procedure, which means you usually go home on the same day. Ask your insurer if varicose vein treatment is a covered expense. If varicose vein treatment is done only to improve the appearan…
Alternative Medicine
- Though they haven't been well studied, a number of alternative therapies claim to be helpful treatments for chronic venous insufficiency. This is a condition associated with varicose veins in which leg veins have problems returning blood to the heart. Alternative therapies for varicose veins may include: 1. Horse chestnut 2. Butcher's broom 3. Grape (leaves, sap, seed and fruit) 4. …
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Your health care provider will need to look at your bare legs and feet to diagnose varicose veins and figure out what treatment might be best for your condition. Your primary care doctor might recommend that you see a doctor who specializes in vein conditions (phlebologist), a vascular surgeon or a doctor who treats skin conditions (dermatologist or dermatology surgeon). In the …
Overview
Symptoms
- Varicose veins might not cause pain. Signs of varicose veins include: 1. Veins that are dark purple or blue 2. Veins that appear twisted and bulging, often appearing like cords on the legs When painful signs and symptoms of varicose veins occur, they might include: 1. An achy or heavy feeling in the legs 2. Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs 3. Wors…
Causes
- Weak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. To return blood to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in the lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to the heart. Tiny valves in the veins open as blo…
Risk Factors
- The following can increase the risk of developing varicose veins: 1. Age.Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in the veins that help control blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to allow some blood to flow back into the veins, where it collects. 2. Sex.Women are more likely to develop the condition. Hormonal changes before a menstrual period or during pregnancy or men…
Complications
- Complications of varicose veins, although rare, can include: 1. Ulcers.Painful ulcers can form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles. A discolored spot on the skin usually begins before an ulcer forms. See your health care provider immediately if you think you've developed a leg ulcer. 2. Blood clots.Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged a…
Prevention
- Improving blood flow and muscle tone might reduce the risk of developing varicose veins. The same measures that treat the discomfort from varicose veins can help prevent them. Try the following: 1. Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery 2. Changing your sitting or standing position regularly 3. Eating a high-fiber, low-salt diet 4. Exercising 5. Rai...