Spider veins or varicose veins on the feet may make you reluctant to wear sandals. But with some minimally invasive treatments, you can show off your feet again.
Varicose veins and spider veins don’t only crop up on the legs and thighs: these uncomfortable veins can appear on the feet as well. For the 23 percent of the U.S. population that has varicose veins and the 80 percent of men and women with spider veins, these conditions rank as primarily cosmetic concerns. Patients may avoid wearing sandals or shoes that show off the feet because of the appearance of prominent veins. Yet for some, foot veins can also cause pain and swelling.
Varicose veins develop because the veins in the legs and feet struggle to transport blood back to the heart. Inside the leg veins are valves that close and push blood upward to the chest. If those valves don’t function properly, blood pools in the veins. This causes the leg and foot veins to swell — and ultimately turn into varicose veins. Spider veins share the same cause, but are thinner and don’t generally lead to discomfort.
A variety of factors — age, weight, heredity, and lifestyle — contribute to the formation of varicose veins and spider veins. Fortunately, you have several options to clear them up so you can wear open-toed shoes with confidence.
To treat your foot veins, you can first try some at-home remedies. Wearing tight elastic compression stockings helps promote blood flow to the heart by squeezing the leg veins, thereby reducing the symptoms and appearance of the veins.
Standing for long periods of time increases pressure on the foot veins. Make sure to sit down regularly to give your feet a rest, or strengthen your calves and get the blood flowing by raising yourself on your toes, and then going back down on your heels. On your off hours, elevate your feet on a pillow to drive blood from the feet back to the heart.
Massaging your feet and legs with a lotion or oil also relaxes the veins and encourages circulation. While these home-based treatments may provide temporary relief, the only sure way to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins is through outpatient surgeries.
If you’re reluctant to have surgery, be assured that the following procedures are minimally invasive and get you in and out of the office in mere hours. Common procedures to treat spider veins and varicose veins on the feet include:
Not only are these procedures minimally invasive, but you’ll be able to return to your normal activities immediately following your visit. To learn more, contact the vein specialists at Bellamah Vein Center. During your appointment, we’ll answer all your questions and recommend the best treatment option for you. Book your consultation today.
