Natural Ways of Treating Spider Veins
If you've been finding small, red or
blue-colored, branch-like veins on your legs or even face, in the form
of short, jagged lines, then you are most probably suffering from the
condition called spider veins. Spider veins are similar to varicose
veins, which look like bulging cords and are sometimes found to be
swollen. However, spider veins are smaller and are closer to the skin
surface. In the USA, up to 55% of women and 45% of men suffer from this
vein problem. Although the chances of getting it tend to increase as you
get older, there are other contributing factors of spider veins you can
easily avoid.
What are spider veins and how are they
caused?
Spider veins and varicose veins may both be caused when veins experience
unusual pressure due to lack of activity, excess weight, and sometimes
even sun exposure. Our veins transport blood from our heart to all parts
of the body and transport it back against the force of gravity, with
valves along the way preventing the blood from going back down. The
weakening of these valves, which happens as a result of the
previously-mentioned pressure, leads to the gathering of blood in some
parts of the body, very commonly the legs. As a result, veins change
color or swell up, and appear on our skin as spider veins or varicose
veins. Sometimes, the spider veins may also cause discomfort, itching or
burning in the legs, and less often, even inner bleeding.
What can I do to prevent spider veins?
Although not all spider veins can be prevented, there are some measures
you can take in order to reduce the chance of their occurrence. One
should take into account that some adults are more susceptible to spider
veins than others, due to factors such as ageing, genetics, obesity and
past injuries. Take note of the following useful tips, especially if
you spend hours in the same position every day.
Performing physical exercise regularly
is highly recommended - This will improve the strength of your legs,
your circulation and hence - the health of your veins. Walking, running
and jogging are the simplest forms of movement that work strongly on the
legs.
If you sit down for long periods of time, take this advice - Take
short walks at least every 20-30 minutes and make sure to move your body
every now and then. This will reduce the risk of having blood gather at
your valves due to lack of circulation. Another suggestion would be to
elevate your legs when sitting at your desk by providing some form of
support for your feet
If you stand for long periods of time, remember - This also puts
pressure on your legs. Remind yourself to change your position
frequently and shift your body weight from one leg to the other. It
might also be a good idea to sit down and rest your legs for a while.
Avoid crossing your legs when sitting down for a long time - This
increases the chances of having more varicose or spider veins and also
the risk of injury.
Wear the right thing - Very tight clothing puts pressure on your
body and may affect your circulation. This may be particularly harmful
to the groin, waist and leg areas. You may want to wear elastic support
stockings, comfortable shoes, and of course avoid wearing high-heels for
long stretches of time.
Fine-tune your diet - Eating excessively salty food may increase
swelling and not getting enough fiber can cause constipation, which is
another cause of vein problems. Make it a point to increase your in-take
of fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains and fresh fruits and
vegetables.
Protect your skin - Apply sunscreen when being exposed to strong UV
rays to help minimize the risk of developing spider veins on your face.
How can spider veins be treated?
Laser treatment can eliminate spider veins, but may be too expensive and
not worth the risk. The same goes for sclerotherapy, which is a costly
injection one can take to improve the appearance of spider veins for up
to two years. These may be useful, but they also have their own
potential physical side-effects. Besides, results may depend on your age
and how serious your spider veins appear to be. This is where natural
remedies come in handy, offering a range of different natural sources
with their own valuable properties. This is not only the cheapest
option, but also the healthiest. The following are some recommendable
natural remedies worth considering to beat your spider veins.
1. Basil
With its properties of vitamin K, a vitamin
that is vital for the health of blood vessels and blood flow, Basil is
said to be a highly effective remedy for the appearance and occurrence
of spider veins. In fact, it has been proven that, if consumed daily, it
can fade and shrink spider veins in the span of one and a half months
2. Lemon Oil
Make lemon oil by combining grated lemon
peel and oil, set it over low heat and cook it very gently for infusion.
After around 10 minutes, remove it from the heat and leave it to cool.
Make sure you seal it tightly when storing. The resulting infusion can
be applied to the area affected by spider veins and the immediately
surrounding skin to ease swellings if any, and it can also help improve
circulation a great deal if massaged well.
3. Black Currant
This herb not only lessens the effect of
spider veins, but can also prevent the formation of new ones by
improving circulation. Inflammation and diuresis (which aids to cleanse
the blood and body) can also be improved thanks to this herb. You can
make your own drink by adding 2 to 2 and a half teaspoons of its dried
leaves to a liter of water.
4. Rose Hips
You canmake oil from rose hips by adding
oil to rose hips and storing it for 6 weeks to let it infuse. Massaging
the resulting rose hip oil into the area of spider veins may be
beneficial for circulation, alleviation of the spider veins and can help
support their surrounding tissues, due to the astringent properties
rose hips contain. You can also create a compress from this herb and
apply it directly to the affected skin as a variation
5. Bay Leaves
By adding these to extra virgin olive oil
you will be able to moisturize the skin with the mixture of minerals,
vitamins and antioxidants this herb holds. This will also help alleviate
your spider veins greatly by applying it to the troublesome area. You
may also choose to warm up this combination before application in order
to be able to strain the leaves.