Know whether or not you should use apple cider vinegar for spider vein removal and the associated side effects that home remedies can cause!
Spider veins are the milder version of varicose veins, in which a major vein becomes twisted and swollen and raised due to blood vessel valve incompetence. Sometimes, you might spot tiny, thin veins visible just under the surface of the skin on your legs, chest, or face. They can be in the form of lines, webs, or branches and are red, blue, or purple in color. They can be flat or slightly raised. Though they can occur anywhere, you can most commonly see them on your legs, behind your knees. They are mostly painless, but sometimes you may experience minor discomfort.
How or why do spider veins form?
Spider veins usually form due to the malfunction of valves inside your veins. Veins carry impure blood to your heart, and they have valves that allow the blood to pass only in the direction of the heart. The valves close themselves to prevent the blood from flowing backward. If the valve becomes damaged or if the wall weakens, then it affects the unidirectional flow of blood. Blood begins to pool in the vein causing your vein to bulge. Your vein begins to branch out to lessen the pressure within, thus leading to the formation of spider veins.
You most often see them on your legs because the veins in your leg have to transport blood upwards to your heart against gravity.
- You might feel a dull ache in your legs, especially if you have been sitting or standing for an extended period.
- Your legs may feel tired, heavy, or appear swollen.
- The skin around the spider veins feels itchy.
- Changes in the color and texture of the skin around your ankles or calves.
- You feel the need to constantly change the position of your legs as they feel restless.
- The symptoms improve when you elevate your legs and rest them.
- Heredity or family history plays a major role.
- The probability of getting spider veins increases with your age. It mostly affects those over 50 years of age.
- If you are in a profession that requires you to stand or sit for a long time, the risk of you developing spider veins is higher.
- Injury or trauma to the legs.
- The tendency to develop spider veins is higher in women.
- If you have a history of deep vein thrombosis(DVT), then your chances of developing spider veins increases.
- Birth control pills.
- Pregnancy, obesity, smoking, drinking alcohol, exposure to heat, and wearing tight clothing are other contributors.
How can you prevent spider veins?
- Having a regular exercise regimen can improve circulation and strengthen the veins.
- Avoid sitting or standing for a long time.
- While sitting down, do leg exercises to keep your blood circulation up.
- If you are obese, then start losing weight.
- While sitting, do not cross your legs at the ankles.
- While resting, keep your legs elevated by placing a stool, cushion, or pillow under them. Try to do this at least three times a day for 15 minutes at a time.
- Try wearing compression socks and stockings to help keep your vein valves in the right position.
- If you are pregnant, try sleeping on your left side, this will help you avoid the pressure of your uterus on the big vein situated in your right pelvic area.
- If you are hypertensive, follow a good diet, maintain hydration, and take the prescribed medication to keep your blood pressure under control.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Spider Vein Removal
Apple cider vinegar is a readily available product in supermarkets and health stores. It has numerous health benefits. It is known to improve circulation and help decrease the appearance and formation of spider veins.
You can either apply it directly on your skin or soak a piece of cloth in the vinegar and wrap it for about 30 minutes around the area where spider veins are visible. This improves blood flow in the affected area. Do it twice a day, in the morning, and at night for a few months to see results. It helps reduce the size of the veins.
However, sometimes, undiluted apple cider vinegar, which is highly acidic, might cause skin inflammation, redness, and burning. Apple cider vinegar has not been proven to prevent or treat spider veins.
Popular home remedies to treat spider veins:
- Cayenne pepper:- Drinking a concoction of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of hot water is supposed to relieve leg pain and improve blood circulation. However, in adverse cases, it may not help your spider veins disappear and may cause ulcers instead.
- Witch Hazel:- It has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and is touted to shrink your spider veins. Boil witch hazel extract in water and drink it. However, it is ineffective in treating conditions beneath the top layers of your skin.
- Crushed garlic, essential oils like grapeseed, horse chestnut, lavender, and yarrow are all supposed to work as a spider vein treatment.
- Massaging with oils like coconut oil, castor oil might help. Using Epsom salt, ginger, and applying green tomato slices are all supposed to work because of their anti-inflammatory properties and/or their circulation-boosting properties.
Scientific studies are yet to prove the efficacy of home remedies and determine at what dosages they work. All-natural remedies for spider veins are neither very effective nor long-lasting.
When to seek medical help?
You may consider spider veins only as a cosmetic problem if you do not experience any other major discomfort. However, there are certain signs which you must not ignore and seek medical help immediately.
- If there is sudden swelling in your leg.
- If the vein feels tender, swollen, red, or warm, it could indicate a blood clot.
- Sores or rashes on your leg.
- Change in the color of the skin on your ankle or calf.
- If the skin over your vein starts to bleed on its own or in account of an injury.
- Medical treatments include sclerotherapy, laser treatment, and surgery.
We would suggest you to try the home remedies in a limited amount and not overdo them to avoid any mishaps. If they persists even after days of trying the remedies, seek medical help instead of relying on apple cider vinegar for spider veins removal.