10 Things That Make Painful Varicose Veins Feel Better

When you have painful varicose veins, you want immediate relief. But your first step should still be to book an appointment at a vein clinic. There are three reasons for this. First, painful varicose veins often signify Chronic Venous Insufficiency, which can’t be completely relieved by anything you try at home. Second, pain in leg veins can indicate blood clots, which require medical attention. Third, booking an appointment relieves stress about your symptoms. Stress worsens pain. Once you know you have a vein doctor lined up, the following tactics will be more effective.

When you book your appointment, ask the pain and vein clinic if you should wear compression stockings until you see the vein doctor. Most vein doctors will want to see you first and select the right sized compression stockings for your issues. But if it’s not your first appointment, they might be able to answer that question over the phone. Ask to have a nurse or doctor call you back and advise you on compression therapy. Some patients cannot do compression, and others won’t benefit from it. But depending on your symptoms and medical history, compression stockings might provide temporary relief from pain and swelling until your appointment.

Leg veins have a tough task. They must pump blood all the way back to the heart, resisting gravity and body weight as they work. As a result, they’re prone to venous reflux, which is when blood flows in reverse through the vein. This increases your chances of developing varicose veins, and increases pain in the ones you already have. Leg muscle contractions help pump blood out of leg veins, so it doesn’t pool and engorge the vein.

If your job requires sitting or standing for long periods of time, take breaks to walk around. If you have to remain in place for a while, do calf raises or squats, or flex your feet and rotate your ankles periodically to contract leg muscles. On your breaks, you should also put your feet up if you’re able.

Hot water increases blood pressure. Notice how your pulse gets faster when you take a hot shower or bath. If you have painful varicose veins, a warm bath might sound appealing, but the pain will likely increase. Instead, try a cool bath or shower, or if that sounds too chilly, soak the affected area in cool water. It will not only soothe the pain, but also the itching and heaviness that are common with varicose veins.  Cool water is also a safer way to bathe if you have high blood pressure and varicose veins.

Tight waistbands, tight shoes, tight socks … none of these help circulation. If your veins are cramping, change into something more comfortable. Constrictive clothing not only causes painful circulation, but it also causes swelling and irritation on skin that might already be sensitive from impaired circulation.

Hydrated bodies circulate blood more efficiently because the blood vessels aren’t constricted. Both caffeine and alcohol can constrict blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure. They can also dehydrate you since they have a diuretic effect. While caffeine and alcohol don’t cause varicose veins, they can make them feel worse. Stay hydrated and cut back on beverages and activities with dehydrating impacts on the body.

As we discussed with hot showers, heat is unpleasant with varicose veins. You’ll notice that veins look more protrusive when you’re hot, particularly in areas with thin skin like the hands and forehead. If your veins are throbbing when you’re out in the sun, head for the shade or the air conditioning. If your legs hurt after a summer run on the hot pavement, try swimming or an indoor workout class. Getting overheated elevates blood pressure, so drink plenty of cool water in warm weather and take breaks to cool off.

Some patients ignore their varicose veins because they’re afraid they’ll need surgery. Others ignore them because they assume they’re a cosmetic problem. Both of these assumptions are often wrong. Most patients no longer need surgery for varicose veins. Doctors now conduct varicose vein treatment with tiny needles and catheters inserted through the skin. Minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins does not require surgical incisions, recovery time, or general anesthesia.

Most procedures are covered by insurance. And most varicose veins aren’t just an aesthetic issue. Spider veins and varicose veins at the surface of the skin often stem from valve failure in deeper blood vessels. If you ignore that issue, more vein damage, symptoms, and complications will develop. See a vein doctor at the first sign of varicose veins for best results.

Not all enlarged veins are varicose. Some are simply enlarged because of temporary blood pressure elevation (showering, exercising, pregnancy, stress). And the color of the vein isn’t always a sign that something is wrong. Blue, red, purple, and green veins are all normal shades, depending on your skin tone and where the vein is located. If a vein is enlarged and also bulging, painful, or twisted, it’s more likely to be varicose. See a vein doctor to assess the health of your enlarged veins.

Some symptoms warrant a trip to the emergency room to make sure you don’t have a blood clot or serious cardiovascular complication. Chest pain, shoulder pain, vomiting, shortness of breath, fainting, lightheadedness, or an area of skin that suddenly becomes red, warm, and tender all indicate that you should seek urgent care. After you’ve been cleared, visit our caring vein doctors to treat your painful varicose veins.