Summer means that it’s finally time to get those legs out again. Okay, they might have been out under stockings. But it’s not the same as having legs that are free of any restrictions and open to the summer sun. However, for some of us summer dresses, shorts, bikinis, and skirts can be a cause of huge stress. Beauty is always a hot topic. It’s always highly debated whether certain beauty standards are attainable. One of the major issues when getting your pins out? Varicose veins of course. Let’s face it, we all want our legs to look as good as the Hollywood starlets. But is that attainable? If you do have varicose veins, can they be treated and banished for good?
What are varicose veins?
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Let’s start with the basics, what even are varicose veins? We can’t possibly banish them for good unless we know what they are, can we? They are often also referred to as spider veins. Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins on the legs. They often appear as a purple or blue color and are very close to the top of the skin. But what happens it the body to make veins do this? And why do 23% of all adults suffer from this condition? Varicose veins are caused by faulty valves in the veins which cause the blood to flow in the wrong direction and pool there.
You may feel alone but it’s an extremely common thing to experience with 1 in 4 adults in the United States is affected by varicose veins. They are most common on the legs and feet but can appear elsewhere on the body. These swollen veins mean that the blood is not flowing correctly. However, they are very rarely a cause for concern when it comes to health. However, having said that, varicose veins can cause swelling, aching, and pain in the legs. If this is the case, treatment is available. They can very occasionally rupture and cause ulcers. If this happens, treatment is required. Most commonly, however, people want to get rid of them for aesthetic reasons rather than anything else.
Who gets them and what causes them?
Most experts, when asked, can’t explain exactly why this happens to some of us. Sometimes, the walls of the veins just seem to stretch or become faulty. However, according to Medical News Today, there are some common risk factors. These include:
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Long periods of standing
- Family history
- Obesity
- Being over 50 years of age
Varicose veins are also much more common in women than they are in men. Some experts think that this could be because some of the female hormones relax the veins. If this is true, taking birth control might contribute to the development of varicose veins. Unfortunately, it does tend to run in families. So, chances are, if your mom (or dad) has them, you will too. Age is also a risk factor as the veins tend to relax over the years due to ‘wear and tear’. You may also be more at risk if your job requires a lot of standing.
How can I get rid of them?
There are multiple ways to get rid of varicose veins. Some are home remedies and some require surgery. In most cases, treatment isn’t necessary. However, if swelling and soreness become an issue, patients often do opt for treatment. The other reason for going in search of treatment is if one of the veins ruptures and causes an ulcer.
Surgical procedures
Large veins require surgical procedures. These are done under general anesthetic and may require a short stay in hospital. This is usually only the case if the patient is having both legs done at the same time.
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Laser therapy
Known as endovenous laser treatment, it a less invasive option than surgery. A catheter is inserted into the patient’s skin at the top of the vein and the laser is used to seal it. The laser is threaded all the way up the vein. This burns the vein and causes it to close up. It can cause temporary nerve damage. Laser is also useful for smaller veins where strong bursts of light are applied to the vein which then gradually disappears.
Chemical treatment
This is also called sclerotherapy. It’s a treatment that works on small and medium-sized veins. With this treatment, a chemical is injected into the vein. The vein then scars and closes which should result in it fading. However, in some cases, veins may need more than one injection.
Radiofrequency
This treatment also necessitates a small incision being made. It definitely isn’t as invasive as surgery though and only a local anesthetic is necessary. Essentially, a catheter is inserted into the incision and threaded through the vein. A probe that emits a radio frequency is then inserted. This heats the vein and causes it to close. This treatment is, as with surgical treatment, usually used on larger veins.
Ligation and Stripping
This method of treatment necessitates two incisions being made. One is near the groin and the other at the ankle or knee. The top of the vein is tied and effectively sealed. Then, a thin, flexible wire is threaded through the bottom of the vein and then pulled out. This takes the entire vein with it.
It doesn’t require a hospital stay but is higher risk as it has been known, extremely rarely, to cause deep vein thrombosis. After undergoing ligation and stripping, you’ll need between 1 to 3 weeks to recover and will have to wear compression stockings (cute) during recovery.
The bottom line?
If you are one of the many people who have varicose veins, don’t fret too much. You aren’t alone by any stretch of the imagination. Unless they start to hurt you or it really bothers you aesthetically, there is no reason to seek treatment. However, if you don’t like the look of them, there’s really nothing to stop you from going to consult with a professional. Overall, don’t let something as minor as a vein stand in the way of your summer. Get those legs out, after all, varicose veins really are very common. Chances are that nobody else will even notice. If you do want to seek treatment, whatever the reason may be, make sure to see a qualified professional and preferably, speak to your doctor too.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240129#causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/symptoms-causes/syc-20350643
