What Causes Varicose Veins? — Continued

Treatment for varicose veins

If your symptoms are minor, you can treat varicose veins with lifestyle changes. Exercise and weight loss can help. You should also add movement to your day if you sit or stand for long periods of time.

Over-the-counter topical creams are available at local pharmacies. Some can improve the overall appearance of your veins and others soothe the pain. Talk to your physician or pharmacist about which products to use.

You can also purchase compression stockings, which can gently squeeze your legs and improve circulation. They offer a lot of ankle support, too. Some patients report that the stockings help ease pain and are helpful if you plan to take a long car or plane ride. (You can get out of your car every hour or two, or walk up and down the aisle of a plane every once in a while, to pump the blood pooling in your legs.)

If the pain is severe, ask your doctor for a referral to see a vascular medicine specialist or surgeon who specializes in blood vessel conditions. You can also talk to a dermatologist.

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