How to prevent varicose veins this summer

Now that summer has officially started, it’s time to ditch the winter wardrobe. However, if you want to really get to show off that summer body, one thing you’ll want to avoid is varicose veins.

Varicose veins don’t just look unsightly, they can also cause a number of health problems too. So, if you don’t want to spend your summer covering up your legs to hide these nasty veins, there are a few things you’ll want to do to prevent them. Here, we’ll look at some of the best ways to prevent varicose veins during the hot summer months.

Elevate the legs at night

Poor circulation can make varicose veins more noticeable and once summer arrives, the heat can exasperate the veins further, leading to swelling, aching and pain.

So, to avoid this, keeping the legs elevated at night can really help. Place a few cushions or pillows underneath the legs while you sleep. This will boost circulation during the night.

Exercise regularly

Making exercise a part of your normal routine is also a good varicose vein preventative measure – or certainly help alleviate the symptoms. Regular exercise encourages better blood circulation in the legs, which helps to push along the blood that has collected in the veins and also helps to lower blood pressure, another contributing factor to varicose veins. If you haven’t exercised in a while, it’s important to start getting back into it gradually. If you try to do too much too soon, it could place additional pressure onto the veins.

Exercising regularly will also help to boost circulation, as well as strengthen the veins. Swimming is a particularly good exercise to do in the summer. Not only does it keep you cool in the hot weather, but it’s also easier on the body.

Seek treatment if varicose veins do develop

If you do suspect you have varicose veins, it’s best to seek treatment early. The earlier you get the problem treated, the less invasive the treatment will be and the better the result aesthetically. There are lots of effective treatments on the market and many of them are non-invasive.

Overall, preventing varicose veins isn’t always possible. However, the steps above can help to minimise your chances of developing them in the summer months. The main thing to remember is that if signs of varicose veins do start to appear, seeking treatment early is crucial.