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Varicose and other vein problems - self-care

Description

Blood flows slowly from the veins in your legs back to your heart. Due to gravity, blood tends to pool in your legs, primarily when you stand. As a result, you may have:

• Varicose veins

• Swelling in your legs

• Skin changes (stasis dermatitis) or even a skin ulcer (sore) in your lower legs

These problems may get worse over time. Learn self-care that you can do at home to:

• Slow down the development of varicose veins

• Decrease any discomfort

• Prevent skin ulcers

Wear Compression Stockings

Compression stockings help with swelling in your legs. They gently squeeze your legs to move blood up your legs.

Your health care provider will help you find the best type, where to buy these and how to use them. They may be covered by your medical insurance.

Make Time to Exercise

Do gentle exercises to build muscle and to move blood up your legs. Here are some suggestions:

• Lie on your back. Move your legs like you are riding a bike. Extend one leg straight up and bend the other leg. Then switch your legs.

• Stand on a step on the balls of your feet. Keep your heels over the edge of the step. Stand on your toes to raise your heels, then let your heels drop below the step. Stretch your calf. Do 20 to 40 repeats of this stretch.

• Take a gentle walk. Walk for 30 minutes: 5 times a week is best, but anything can help.

• Take a gentle swim. Swim for 30 minutes: 5 times a week is best, but anything can help.

Put Your Feet up

Raising your legs helps with pain and swelling. You can:

• Raise your legs on a pillow when you are resting or sleeping.

• Raise your legs above your heart 3 or 4 times a day for 5 to 15 minutes at a time.

Do not sit or stand for long periods of time. When you do sit or stand, bend and straighten your legs every few minutes to keep the blood in your legs moving back to your heart.

Take Care of Your Skin

Keeping your skin well moisturized helps it stay healthy. Talk with your provider before using any lotions, creams, or antibiotic ointments. Because of possible side effects, unless your provider recommends them, do not use:

• Topical antibiotics, such as neomycin

• Drying lotions, such as calamine

• Lanolin, a natural moisturizer

• Benzocaine or other creams that numb the skin

• Topical hydrocortisone creams or ointments

Watch for skin sores on your leg, mainly around your ankle. Take care of sores right away to prevent infection.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if:

• Varicose veins are painful.

• Varicose veins are getting worse.

• Putting your legs up or not standing for a long time is not helping.

• You have a fever or redness in your leg.

• You have a sudden increase in pain or swelling.

• You get leg sores.

• There is bleeding from the vein.

• You feel a hard lump in the vein, which may suggest a blood clot.

References

Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L. Ulcers. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 105.

Markovic JN, Shortell CK. Treatment of chronic venous disorders. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 157.

Murray MT, Nowicki J. Varicose veins. In: Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 5th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2021:chap 225.

Review Date: 10/11/2024

Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.