When those ugly red and blue webs begin to show up on your skin, they are not only unattractive, but sometimes they itch or swell. Those web-like veins that appear on your skin known as telangiectasia, or more commonly spider veins, are typically benign where your health is concerned, but getting rid of them is certainly a priority for most individuals.
Fortunately, we are here to show you 15 home remedies for spider veins that really do work.
15 Home Remedies
The following home remedies are all wonderful options for soothing spider veins and helping lessen their visibility. Keep in mind when reading through that you should pay attention to the ingredients carefully. You do not want to use anything you have an allergy or sensitivity to.
As you look over the remedies, choose a few to try. Some make work better than others for you. Everyone is different, so sometimes what works for one person does not for another.
Take the time to work through the whole list if possible. This will give you the best chance of finding the remedy that really works magic on your sider vein issue.
1. Witch Hazel
A simple and common home remedy for getting rid of spider veins is witch hazel. This herb contains tannins and volatile compounds which eliminate the appearance of the bulging veins by strengthening and tightening the structure of the affected veins. It also gets rid of itching and swelling as well.
What to do:
- Saturate a cotton ball with witch hazel extract.
- Apply the extract to the affected areas and allow it to dry on its own.
- There is no need to rinse it off.
- Repeat this remedy two or three times a day.
2. Cayenne pepper
Besides being an excellent home remedy for treating spider veins, cayenne pepper is linked to improving circulation throughout the body. The promotion of better blood circulation helps to increase the elasticity of the veins and eases the inflammation and congestion in the veins.
What to do:
- Add 1 tsp of powdered cayenne pepper to a cup of hot water.
- Continue stirring (it will not dissolve) while you drink the mixture until all of the pepper is gone.
- Repeat this remedy a couple of times daily.
3. Compression stockings
Numerous vascular disorders, including varicose veins as well as spider veins can be helped through the use of compression stockings. Compression stockings help to reduce inflammation and support improved blood circulation. When they are worn throughout the day, they provide relief from discomfort sometimes associated with spider veins.
What to do:
- Compression stockings come in various lengths and various compression strengths.
- For spider veins, 10 to 15 mmHg is sufficient compression.
- Wear these stockings daily until the condition improves.
4. Apple cider vinegar
Among the best home remedies for dealing with spider veins is apple cider vinegar. Like witch hazel, apple cider vinegar helps to strengthen the walls of the veins and also helps to keep them more elastic. Additionally, the consumption of ACV can help improve circulation and blood flow as well.
What to do:
- Saturate a piece of soft cloth or gauze with raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
- Place the cloth or gauze over the affected area and leave it in place for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Repeat this 2 to 3 times daily.
- You can also add 2 tsp of raw, unfiltered ACV to a warm glass of water and drink this solution twice daily.
5. Horse chestnut
Another herb which acts as an excellent home remedy for getting rid of spider veins is horse chestnut. The reduction of discomfort gained through the use of horse chestnut is related to its anti-inflammatory properties which help to increase blood flow and allow veins to return to their normal location in the skin.
What to do:
- You can purchase horse chestnut gels and creams at health stores and pharmacies.
- You can also make your own horse chestnut extract.
- Apply the gel or extract to the affected areas and allow it to dry in place twice per day.
6. Massage
Better circulation is one of the aspects of preventing and eliminating spider veins. One of the simplest and best home remedies to improve circulation is through the use of regular massage. Massage not only encourages better circulation, but it also helps to reduce inflammation.
What to do:
- Slightly warm your favorite massage oil, like coconut, olive or almond oil.
- Utilize the warm massage oil to gently massage over and around the affected area.
- Repeat this for 10 minutes 3 to 4 times per day.
7. Elevating the affected area
A common area for spider veins to occur is in the legs. A home remedy which helps to encourage circulation and reduce inflammation is elevating the legs or other affected areas.
What to do:
- Place several pillows or make use of a wedge to elevate your legs above your heart for 15 minutes 4 to 5 times daily.
- You can do the same for affected hands and arms.
- To prevent and get rid of spider veins on the face or neck, sleep with your head and shoulders elevated.
8. Exercise
One of the best ways to encourage better blood circulation, which gets rid of spider veins, can be accomplished through exercise. Not only does exercise strengthen and make veins more elastic, but it also helps to reduce inflammation.
What to do:
- Walk for 30 minutes five times per week.
- Be sure to walk for 10 minutes after each 2 to 3 hours of sitting.
- Swimming, cycling, stair climbing or any type of exercise class 3 to 4 times per week is also helpful.
9. Ginger
When it comes to herbal home remedies for the treatment of spider veins, few are more effective that ginger. Ginger helps to improve blood circulation, but it also helps to break up fibrin, which is a blood protein that builds up around the injured areas of your veins.
What to do:
- Cut off 1 inch of fresh ginger root and slice it into thin pieces.
- Boil 2 cups of water and add in the sliced of ginger.
- Reduce heat and simmer the ginger in the water for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea, add a little honey and drink it while warm.
- Drink ginger tea 2 to 3 times daily.
10. Cypress Essential Oil
Spider veins can be eliminated through the use of cypress essential oil as well. Cypress oil helps to reduce inflammation and offset any hormonal imbalances which might be causing poor circulation.
What to do:
- Massage about 5 drops of cypress essential oil into the affected area.
- You can also add 2 to 3 drops of cypress oil for each tablespoon of carrier oil (coconut, olive, or almond oil) and use it in the massage oil we mentioned earlier.
11. Avoid inflammatory foods
Because inflammation is a major contributing factor to spider veins, avoiding inflammatory foods is a reasonable home remedy to try. Inflammation is often a result of an acidic diet or a diet with too much sodium.
What to do:
- Eliminate foods such as trans fats, refined sugar, processed foods, alcohol and caffeine.
- In addition, consider limiting or avoiding these inflammation causing foods.
12. Consume more antioxidants
The other side of the coin, when it comes to foods that affect inflammation, is antioxidants. Vitamins C and E are the most well known antioxidants and having plenty of them in your system can help prevent or eliminate spider veins. Vitamin E acts as a low-grade blood thinner, which is proven to aid cardiovascular health and vitamin C has powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.
What to do:
- Consume green vegetables and citrus fruits as natural sources of both of these vitamins.
- In addition, add more berries, which have additional antioxidants and flavonoids, to your diet as well.
13. Magnesium and potassium
Circulation issues, cramps, bruising and blood pressure issues, like spider veins and varicose veins, are a result of deficiencies of magnesium and potassium. One of the best home remedies to fight off spider veins as well as other circulatory issues is to consume more magnesium and potassium-rich foods.
What to do:
- Leafy greens, avocado, bananas, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cabbage), and sweet potatoes are all good sources of both potassium and magnesium.
- Cold water fish like salmon, mountain trout, mackerel, pollock, halibut, cod and sardines are good sources of magnesium as well.
- Check out these additional magnesium rich foods and add them to your diet.
- Check out these additional potassium rich foods and add them to your diet.
14. Mustard and sesame oil
The combination of mustard and sesame oils is another effective home remedy for getting rid of those much maligned spider veins. Utilized a great deal in Ayurvedic medicine, these oils help to improve blood flow and strengthen the elasticity of veins.
What to do:
- Utilize a mixture of mustard and sesame oil as massage oil for the remedy we mentioned earlier.
- Blend one or the other of these oils with a carrier oil in order in a twice daily massage as well.
15. Garlic
A home remedy which is well known for reducing inflammation is garlic. Garlic helps to break up toxins in the blood vessels in order to improve circulation.
What to do:
- Peel and slice six cloves of garlic and place them in a clean 1-pint jar.
- Extract the juice of three oranges and add it to the jar along with 2 Tbsp of olive oil.
- Secure the lid on the jar and let the mixture sit for 12 hours or so.
- With each use, shake the jar to blend the ingredients better.
- Dip your fingers into the jar and apply the mixture to the affected areas.
- Cover the area with a cotton cloth and leave it on overnight.
- Repeat this daily for several months.
Conclusion
No one is happy with the presence of those ugly web-like veins regardless of where they spring up. You don’t have to put up with them any longer if you make use of one or more of our home remedies for spider veins. Try out several of our best remedies and then be sure to leave your success stories, comments and questions in the section provided below.
Images: depositphotos.com.