Spider veins are also known as angioectasias or telangiectasias. They are small and dilated blood vessels. These veins are appearing as red or blue lines on the surface of the skin or the mucous membranes and they look like tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins are mostly affecting the face (especially around the chin, cheeks and nose), hands and legs. This condition can happen as a result of damaged or weak valves in the veins.
There are many factors which could lead to this kind of damage, such as exposure to harmful UV sunrays; constipation; obesity; wearing clothes that are too tight; standing or sitting for long periods of time; hormonal changes in the body; taking birth control pills; a history of blood clots; heredity; age and poor blood circulation. Usually spider veins are harmless but they can cause symptoms, like rashes, throbbing, pain, swelling and itching around the veins as well as restless legs. As the time passes, this could lead to problems, such as deep vein thrombosis, phlebitis, bleeding and skin ulcers. This condition is more cosmetic than health problem and people are trying to find many different ways to reduce the appearance of these veins. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from spider veins before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for this condition.
Home remedies for spider veins
Elevation: If you have spider veins on your hands and legs, then the elevation can give you a relief from the pressure in the veins. Also it can improve the blood circulation to the affected area. If you have spider veins on your legs, then you should put a pillow under your legs so you can sleep on your back. You should keep your legs elevated for fifteen minutes at a time, several times per day. If you have spider veins on your hands, then you should elevate your hands by placing them on a few stacked pillows for fifteen minutes, four or five times per day. You should sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated with the help of soft pillow because this can help you to reduce the discomfort of spider veins. Your head need to be at least a couple of inches above the body.
Exercise: One of the leading causes for spider veins is the poor blood circulation, especially on the legs. Exercise can help to improve the blood circulation throughout the body, improves the vein’s strength and strengthens your body. The moderate daily exercise can help you to fight against the obesity and this can reduce the risk of other venous insufficiency problems. You should walk for thirty minutes or more, at least five times per week. Also you should walk around every two to three hours for ten minutes. If you want to strengthen your calf muscles, then you should raise yourself up on the balls of your feet and then you should slowly lower yourself back down for ten to fifteen minutes and do it a few times per day. You should include circulation – boosting activities, such as climbing stairs, swimming and jogging. [1,2]
Garlic: It has anti – inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can enhance the blood circulation and help in the treatment of spider veins [3]. You should take six garlic cloves and mince them to form a fine paste. You should mix this paste with a few drops of rubbing alcohol and massage it onto the affected area. You should let it stay there for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should repeat this natural treatment on daily basis for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Massage: One of the best ways to improve the circulation which can help you to rid of the spider veins is to massage the affected area [4]. This can reduce the inflammation and pain. It is recommended using extra – virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil due to their anti – inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Also these oils can penetrate deep into your skin. You should slightly warm your chosen oil in a microwave. You should use the warm oil to massage the affected veins with firm yet gentle strokes. You should massage for ten minutes at a time, three or four times per day.
Horse chestnut: This home remedy can help to strengthen the veins and also it is very effective in reducing the discomfort of spider veins. Also it has anti – swelling and anti – inflammatory properties. There was one study in 2006 in which was noticed that the horse chestnut can help to patients who suffer from mild to moderate insufficiency [5]. You should apply horse chestnut seed gel externally on the affected area two times per day. Also you can mix one tablespoon of horse chestnut tincture in ten tablespoons of distilled witch hazel. You should apply it to the affected area two times per day. Also you can take horse chestnut supplements. You need to talk with your doctor for the recommended dosage. Nursing or pregnant women should not consume horse chestnut. You should avoid this home remedy if you have liver or kidney disease or if you are taking blood thinning medications.
Apple cider vinegar: This is one of the best home remedies for spider veins. It can improve the blood flow and circulation and this can help to reduce the swelling and pain to a great extent [6]. You should saturate a piece of cloth with raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. You should put the cloth on the affected area for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should do this natural treatment two or three times per day in a period of several days. Also you can add two teaspoons of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar to one glass of water and stir it well. Also you can add a little honey to it for getting better taste. You should drink this home remedy 2 times a day.
Ginger: This home remedy can help you to improve the blood circulation which is very effective natural treatment of spider veins. It can help to break up fibrin which is a blood protein that builds up in the areas where your veins are injured. In one study done in 2001 was said that ginger has fibrinolytic enhancing property. You should cut one inch of fresh ginger root into thin pieces. You should add ginger slices to about two cups of boiling water. You should simmer on low heat for ten minutes. You should strain it, add honey and drink it while this tea is still warm. You should drink the ginger tea two or three times per day. If you are taking blood thinners or blood pressure medications, then you should talk with your doctor before you start taking ginger as your home remedy for spider veins.
Witch hazel: This is a very effective home remedy which can help to reduce the symptoms of spider veins. It has tannins and volatile compounds which can help to strengthen the blood vessels and this can reduce the appearance of bulging veins. It can help to tighten the distended veins and it repairs their normal structure. It is known that it can help to reduce the swelling and pain. You should dab a little witch hazel extract on the affected area and let it dry on its own. You should not rinse it off. You should do this natural treatment once or twice per day because in this way you will notice improvements in your condition. Also there is another option and that is to steep ½ cup of witch hazel leaves in one cup of hot water for ten minutes. You should remove the leaves and allow the water to cool. You should apply this home remedy on the affected veins by using a cotton ball. You should let it stay there for at least 15 minutes and repeat it two times per day. [7]
Cayenne pepper: This home remedy can help in the treatment of spider veins. It has capsaicin which can promote the blood circulation and ease the pain of congested and swollen veins [8]. You should add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to one cup of hot water and stir it well. You should drink it two times per day until you are satisfied with the results. You should include the cayenne pepper in your cooking or you can take a supplement after talking with your doctor. You should apply capsaicin cream or gel to reduce the swelling and pain on the affected areas as much as needed. The intake of cayenne pepper is not recommended for breastfeeding or pregnant women.
Arnica: This is a very popular homeopathic medicine which can help you to get a relief from the discomfort and aches which are caused by spider veins. It has several compounds which can help to reduce the swelling, pain and inflammation [9]. It can constrict the veins due to its anti – inflammatory properties and it helps to reduce the bulging appearance. You should apply an arnica – based gel or cream on the affected area, two or three times per day. Also you can take arnica in pill form but talk with your doctor for the correct dosage.
References:
[1] Akoijam M, Sangita A, Malar M, Kodi M. Prevention of varicose veins. International Journal of Advances in Nursing Management. 2014;2(1):40-5.
[2] Padberg FT, Johnston MV, Sisto SA. Structured exercise improves calf muscle pump function in chronic venous insufficiency: a randomized trial. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2004;39(1):79-87.
[3] Ried K, Frank OR, Stocks NP, et al. Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. 2008;8.
[4] University of Illinois at Chicago. Massage therapy improves circulation, alleviates muscle soreness. Science Daily. 2014.
[5] Suter A, Bommer S, Rechner J. Treatment of patients with venous insufficiency with fresh plant horse chestnut seed extract: A review of 5 clinical studies. Advances in Therapy. 2006;23:179–90.
[6] Yagnik D, Serafin V, Shah AJ. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific Reports. 2018;8:1732.
[7] Hamidpour R, Rashan L. A unique natural remedy that alleviates varicose vein. Translational Biomedicine. 2017;8(3):127.
[8] Chauhan M. Blood circulation stimulation properties of cayenne pepper:A review. IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry. 2018;11(5):78-83.
[9] Kawakami AP, Sato C, Cardoso TN, Bonamin LV. Inflammatory process modulation by homeopathic arnica montana 6CH: The role of individual variation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:917541.
