Varicose veins

How to Treat Varicose Veins with Apple Cider Vinegar

How to Treat Varicose Veins with Apple Cider Vinegar

Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and inflamed, which not only makes our legs look bad, but also causes severe discomfort and a feeling of heaviness that often prevents us from going about our daily lives as normal. Even though this is a condition that can only be completely cured through surgery, it is still possible to use other treatments to help relieve its symptoms. And among the most effective natural products for this condition, apple cider vinegar is one of the best. This is particularly the case with spider veins, small varicose veins which result in a web of veins on your skin. If you want to know how to treat varicose veins with apple cider vinegar in the best way possible, keep reading this OneHowTo article.

Contents

  1. Apple cider vinegar for varicose veins
  2. How to apply apple cider vinegar onto varicose veins
  3. More tips for treating varicose veins

Apple cider vinegar for varicose veins

Varicose veins usually develop in the legs and are directly caused by poor blood circulation. When the valves in our veins that make sure our blood circulates properly to the heart don't work properly, blood accumulates in the affected vein which causes it to swell up. There are many reasons why varicose veins may occur, but the main one is age. As we use our legs throughout our life, they are subject to wear and tear. However, it is also thought that a major contributing factor to varicose veins is family history. Hereditary genes passed on can mean that we are more or less likely to get varicose veins.

Varicose veins are more likely to occur in women and pregnancy and/or menopause have been linked to them. Lifestyle can also have an important bearing on whether we will get varicose veins. If you have a job which requires you to stand a lot, you are more likely to get them as this can put strain on the vessels and cause valves to malfunction. A lack of exercise as well as poor diet will be contributing factors. This is because high fat or trans-fat heavy food can clog and block veins and arteries. Smoking and alcohol abuse have also been linked to the condition.

The difference between spider veins and varicose veins is how they present on the skin. Varicose veins are large than other veins and bulge out of the skin. Spider veins result from the same issue (valves in the veins becoming ineffective), but they are found in smaller veins. This results in red veins which spread out over the surface of the skin, but do not bulge out like varicose veins. They look similar to the condition rosacea where small veins are similarly dilated.

Trauma can also impact the possibility of developing varicose veins. A bad knock or even hitting a vein in the wrong way can damage the valve and allow for blood flow back into the vein, causing them to become varicose. While a good level of exercise can help with preventing varicose veins, over-exercising can lead to tissue and vein damage. Do not lift too much or push yourself too hard if you at risk of varicose veins.

Using apple cider vinegar can be good for varicose veins because it helps to improve the body's blood flow. This may relieve symptoms caused by these troublesome varicose veins such as pain, heaviness, cramps, tingling, itching and swelling. Therefore, this natural product can become a great solution for instant and effective relief when applied onto the affected area.

There is insufficient study on the science behind why using apple cider vinegar (or ACV as it is sometimes known) can help with varicose veins. However, many people have reported home use as being effective in treating them with ACV. As always, if you are concerned about any condition, seek a physician's advice.

How to Treat Varicose Veins with Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar for varicose veins

How to apply apple cider vinegar onto varicose veins

Using apple cider vinegar to relieve the discomfort of varicose veins is very simple, and you can apply it in many ways. Below, we detail the most effective application methods:

  • Pour a few drops of apple cider vinegar directly onto the palm of your hand and massage into the area affected by varicose veins in circular motions to let the skin completely absorb it.
  • Another option is to use sterile gauze, moisten it with apple cider vinegar and hold it onto the varicose veins for a few minutes.
  • Make a homemade cream made of apple cider vinegar, aloe vera and carrot. Blend precisely half a glass of apple cider vinegar, half a carrot and 3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, and spread the mixture over the varicose veins by massaging upwards to stimulate blood circulation. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and afterwards rinse it off with cool or lukewarm water.
  • Some people recommend daubing a cotton pad or gauze with ACV, adhering it to the affected area with tape and leaving it overnight. However, the high acidity may not be good for skin if doing so. If you do want to leave it overnight, ensure it is diluted with water before use. Using the cream with aloe vera should also help you with varicose veins treatment.

While apple cider vinegar is a good natural treatment for varicose veins, in our article how to treat varicose veins with home remedies you can find out many other treatments.

How to Treat Varicose Veins with Apple Cider Vinegar - How to apply apple cider vinegar onto varicose veins

More tips for treating varicose veins

Note that if you want to reduce the discomfort caused by varicose veins and avoid more of these spider-like veins from appearing as much as possible you must carry out the following measures daily:

  • Have a healthy, balanced diet to avoid becoming overweight or suffering from constipation, since both conditions increase your chances of developing varicose veins.
  • If you smoke, you should quit. This may help with varicose veins, but will also improve your overall health.
  • Alcohol consumption can have a bearing on the health of your veins. Lowering consumption or cutting alcohol out completely can be beneficial to your health. However, mild to moderate drinking as part of a healthy lifestyle shouldn't be a concern.
  • Exercise regularly especially by doing activities that boost the blood circulation in the legs such as walking, running, swimming, biking, pilates, etc.
  • Avoid standing for long periods or sitting while in the same body position. This may be difficult if you have a job which requires you to stand. If you do, you may need to take extra steps to help prevent varicose veins. However, sitting at a desk and not exercising can also have an impact on likelihood of spider veins. Take a walk every half hour to stretch your legs.
  • Wear shoes that fit you well and that are comfortable. Unfortunately, if you have varicose veins you should not wear high heels. Flat, comfortable shoes are your best option. You can find out more about the best shoes to prevent varicose veins in our article.
  • As varicose veins are most common in the legs, compression stockings are stockings you put over your legs to keep pressure on the varicose veins and help stop them getting worse. However, they may not be suitable for you if you have another condition, so check with you doctor before using them.
  • Use blood-thinning creams on your legs.
How to Treat Varicose Veins with Apple Cider Vinegar - More tips for treating varicose veins

Varicose and spider veins can be unpleasant, but treating them with apple cider vinegar (ACV) can make the area lighter and reduce their visibility. However, it may not have much effect on larger veins which protrude from the skin. Apple cider vinegar is a very versatile substance and can even be used to treat hair or cellulite.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Treat Varicose Veins with Apple Cider Vinegar, we recommend you visit our Family health category.

Write a comment

What did you think of this article?
10 comments
GJ
how to remove or reduce spider veins on the face..??
OneHowTo Editor
Hi GJ,

The spider veins might similarly be addressed by apple cider vinegar. If you want to seek some other home remedies for varicose veins, maybe this one on the best essential oils for varicose veins will be of interest to you:

https://health.onehowto.com/article/the-best-essential-oils-for-varicose-veins-and-circulation-10030.html

As always, seeking a doctor's advice is the best course of action for any medical issue.
Rating:
Miri
Hi there!
So do I need to wash the ACV off after applying it onto my skin?
Thank you. I sure hope this helps me because I am 25 and have spider veins on my thighs ( Am not overweight and live very healthily) and it really frustrates me.
OneHowTo Editor
The appearance of spider veins may be due to genetic factors too. If you apply it directly you should massage it until the skin absorbs the product.
If you want to get rid of the smell, we advise you to wait for 20 minutes and have a shower.
Hope this helps
Rating:
dayanne
i am now working here in bowin, thailand.i just wanna ask if where can i buy this apple cider vinegar near in my workplace?thanks
Rating:
baburaj
while apple cider vinegar how long staying and shower
OneHowTo Editor
Massage the apple cider on the area and let it stand for at least 10 minutes or until your skin has completely absorbed it.
Shower after that if you like. Hope this helps
gem
I have plenty of varicose in my legs... Where I buy that Apple CIDER VINEGAR?
OneHowTo Editor
You can find it in many supermarkets or in specialized health food shops.
christine dansie
i will let you know if it helps i hope it takes the swelling down as i hate my calf it swells to over 1 inch compared to the right leg i never show my legs so here's hoping i will give it a go
OneHowTo Editor
Thank Christine,
Let us know how apple cider vinegar worked for your varicose veins.
Hope the article helped :)
christine dansie
i have phlebitis in my left leg ,the doc gives me hirudoid cream but i cant go swimming as it may leave a residue in the water and it does not cover the veins so i will give apple cider vinegar a go i will also tell my sisters about it , thank you for sharing these tips with us
Phatsimo
Thank you very much I wil try to Apple Cider Vinegar in my leg
OneHowTo Editor
We're glad it was useful for you
Natalia Vega
After having my baby, my legs just looked absolutely awful, venorid serum really helped just in time for summer shorts and dresses too. It took a couple of weeks before I noticed a difference, but it was definitely worth the wait. I feel way happier about my legs now.
REMA GANAPATHY
mY WIFE IS HAVING VERIOSE VEINS, IT IS ONLY VERY INITIATIVE STAGE, CAN I APPLY Apple Cider Vinegar. If so, please inform its availability, source and price details, if possible
OneHowTo Editor
Dear Rema, Your wife can apply apple cider vinegar if she wishes to. There are several ways of applying it, you'll find them in step 2. Your best option is to buy totally organic apple cider vinegar, which you'll be able to find in most health food shops. If you'd like to know the full list of benefits of apple cider vinegar here's a useful article: http://health.onehowto.com/article/what-are-the-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar-1791.html Hope this works!
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How to Treat Varicose Veins with Apple Cider Vinegar