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35 Crazy Myths About Removing Varicose Veins, #5 Is Ridiculous!

by C.P. Team

For many people, removing varicose veins is a big concern.

After all, who wants to see legs with bulging veins on them? They’re visibly unattractive and can leave you feeling insecure.

If you’re one of the millions of people that suffer from this condition, then chances are you’ve searched everywhere for a solution.

You’ve also listened to a ton of bad information about home remedies, maybe even tried a few. Sadly, those recommendations are as useful as a salesman selling snake oil.

When it comes to the removal of varicose veins, there are only two things you must do.

The first is to speak with your doctor about your vein treatment options. They’re the best source for information about venous deficiencies.

The second thing is to read through these crazy myths about varicose veins. It’ll help you to recognize if a person or website is just bullshitting or if they’re actually giving you useful information.

Contents

Myths About Removing Varicose Veins

1. Apple Cider Vinegar helps with removing varicose veins

This is one of the greatest medical marvels of all time! It’s so effective that scientists couldn’t even study it!

Don’t believe this nonsense, NONE of that is true.

Apparently a few online resources are claiming the following:

“In order to reduce the inflammation, you don’t have to consume apple cider vinegar. All you have to do is to moisten a clean cloth or a towel with this vinegar and place it on top of your varicose veins. For a few minutes, leave the cloth there. You can also massage the areas, but start from the bottom part and move your way upward. Make sure that you’re not applying too much pressure, when you massage the affected areas.”

If any of this is medically possible or even true, then Compression Point will donate a ridiculous amount of money to the International Apple Cider Vinegar Vein Deficiency Fund.

The only thing ACV might help you do is lose weight. You can find out more about that here.

2. Your varicose veins developed from you being overweight

The following information will likely piss many people off and we’re okay with that. Better for us to be real than to serve you a cup of pleasant lies.

It’s the 21st Century, there’s no reason to be overweight! 

Obesity is not a disease, it’s a choice.

Sure you might have some medical condition that can cause you to be overweight and hopefully you get it taken care of. However, outside of that, if you’re overweight then you have too much in life.

Millions of people would literally kill for a slice of bread but you’re too busy blaming someone or something for your own creation.

No, your obesity won’t just start causing you to have bulging veins. All the years you spent gaining weight and maintaining poor health habits would have likely played a role in your venous issues.

Actually, obesity will increase your vein problems because the bigger you get, the more pressure you put on your heart to pump blood around your body. And since your limbs are already struggling to support your massive size, this can cause more issues other than just varicose veins.

You should be proactive about your health and do a better job of protecting your body. A balanced diet and exercise are all you need to get started. There’s no reason why you can’t do it.

3. Vein disease is an old people problem

As you get older you’ll encounter a number of health issues (less if you maintain healthy habits).

However, as with all things in life, age isn’t the only factor for health-related issues. While many people suffering from vein disease are older, symptoms usually begin much earlier. In most cases, they have simply been ignored until such time that you meet a certain age where the condition starts to actually be a problem.

Research has also found that genetics are factor in determining your risk of getting varicose veins. Especially if both your parents had it, in which case there’s a 90% chance that you will also get it. For this reason, paying attention to the early signs of venous deficiencies is more important than worrying about age. If you choose to ignore the signs now, you’ll undoubtedly deal with these issues when you get older. Simply because the condition would have gotten worse while you sat idly by and did nothing.

4. Your high heel shoes will give you varicose veins

No. Just no. Those sexy pumps you wear will not result in venous problems. They’ll cause you financial problems and unnecessary discomfort but that’s about it.

High heels are probably not the best things for you in general but they won’t make your veins start bulging from your legs. Obviously wearing your pumps for extended periods can cause your feet to hurt.

However, if you notice the legs of most women wearing heels, you’ll see that they have gorgeous and well-shaped calves. This comes from the improved blood flow of wearing heels.

So go ahead get your sexy on, you already know that you look hot in them. Just remember to do it in moderation.

5. You can heal varicose veins with tomatoes

Apparently this is a thing. Where it came from, nobody knows. It does prove that there’s at least one of these born every minute.

There are some resources out there that are recommending you do something strange with your tomatoes.

They want you to “wash them with water. Then slice them and put the slices on the area of capillaries and veins you want to heal. Wrap them with a bandage and leave to stay until you notice reactions on the skin. At the end, rinse the place with water.” They further go on to say that doing “the treatment 5 times a day in a period of 14 days in a row, you will see the results for sure.

Ah, there’s nothing like the good ole “you’ll see the results for sure” line. We can guarantee you’ll see results alright. The result is you’ll look like a complete idiot to your spouse or kid if they walked in on you doing this nonsense.

This has got to be the worse suggestion ever! Just eat your tomatoes and ignore this crap.

In fact, you should download the free ebook if you haven’t done so already. You can read it while you eat your tomatoes.

6. If you treat varicose veins they’ll come back worse than before

What doctors knew about varicose veins two decades ago is different than what they know now. Past treatments and poor patient care did result in a recurrence of varicose veins. However, advances in science and medicine have lead to modern treatments that are efficient, safe and medically board certified.

Although a percentage of patients experience a recurrence of varicose veins several years after treatment, certain factors influence this. Things like your family history, they way the procedure was done and the competence of the practicing physician, can influence future issues.

This is why it’s important to do your research and get multiple opinions on your condition rather than just walking into the first clinic you see. Forget all those billboards you see too, chances are they got new equipment and are looking for guinea pigs.

7. Varicose vein treatments are expensive and insurance won’t cover it because it’s cosmetic

This probably has to do with the confusion between varicose veins and spider veins. The latter is considered cosmetic and therefore not covered under insurance. However, varicose veins are a health condition that most insurance companies recognize. Similar to other forms of preventative care, treating vein issues early saves your insurance from bigger costs in the future.

Even if your legs look normal when you’re experiencing pain, you may have Chronic Venous Hypertension (CVH). The only way to determine this is to have an ultrasound done by a qualified Phlebologist. In most cases that initial consultation is also covered by your insurance. We recommend talking to your insurance and doctor for more information.

8. Wearing tight clothes or crossing your legs will give you varicose veins

There’s no medical claim to support this. In fact, bulging veins are a result of pressure that causes blood to pool within a vein. This could be the effect of damaged valves or weak vein walls.

So, if you don’t have varicose veins, crossing your legs will not cause them. It could be problem if you do suffer from the condition already. Additionally, since compression clothing is designed to improve blood flow, wearing them may actually relieve discomfort.

9. You don’t need to treat varicose veins because it’s not important

That’s like saying you won’t see a dentist until your teeth become rotten due to tooth decay.

If you’re one of those people that wait for issues to arise rather than being proactive, you can continue doing that. Or you can accept that venous issues are a big problem that can affect your skin, cause ulcers and lead to problems that are difficult to treat.

Ignoring this condition, or any health issue for that matter, is foolish. Unless you are a trained medical professional, you are not qualified to diagnose yourself. If you think you may have a health issue, then speak with your doctor ASAP!

10. Cold showers can help you get rid of varicose veins

Cold showers can definitely help you…help you to feel cold!!!

According to one website, taking “cold showers are a quick and easy remedy. The cold constricts the veins and can cause relief from pain.” (What does the fox say?)

By this logic everyone should move to Siberia or stop wasting money on hot water.

Seriously, ridiculous information like this is actually the reason why foolish people end up worse than they are. Don’t be one of those individuals without common sense, subscribe to Compression Point for useful content instead of worthless poop.

11. Taking supplements will cure your varicose veins

It seems like there is a supplement for almost anything these days. The combination of lotions and potions, in addition to late night tv commercials, make all sorts of unrealistic promises.

Even if you did a Google search for “how to get rid of varicose veins” you’d find lots suggestions for remedies.

Unfortunately, none of these are true. There isn’t one shred of evidence to support these outlandish claims.

Do yourself a favor and ask a medical professional before listening to these quacks. It could save you from harming yourself, or in the case of tomatoes, make you look silly.

12. Women should worry about their varicose veins after pregnancy

Once again this probably has to do with the poor medical practices from decades ago. Pregnancy does subject the female body to a number of things such as low blood circulation and weight gain. In some cases, doctors actually recommend compression hosiery for women who are experiencing circulatory issues during pregnancy.

Obviously the only way to determine a solution is for you to either consult your obstetrician for more information. They’ll evaluate you by recommending a venous insufficiency test prior to your pregnancy. The results will help them understand the kind of issues you could potentially be exposed to during pregnancy.

13. Pregnancy causes varicose veins

That statement would imply that every woman, including Eve, developed varicose veins during pregnancy.

However, this is not true because there’s no one specific reason(s) why people develop varicose veins. There are many factors that can determine if you’ll get varicose veins while pregnant. A lot of it has to do with your medical history, genetic composition and weight.

Of course, the only way to know all that is to chat with your doctor.

14. Only women suffer from varicose veins

We would agree with that statement if the entire human race consisted only of women.

The good news for women though, is that there’re quite a number of men roaming the Earth. Those hunks are also at risk of developing bulging veins in their legs but it’s not as common as it is with women.

Furthermore, most men don’t really worry much about things like spider veins because it’s more cosmetic than anything. However, for venous issues, they should be concerned and seek out medical help to treat any venous insufficiencies.

15. If I just leave it alone, my bulging veins will vanish by themselves

Yes, and so will any other major health issue.

In fact, leaving it alone will make you invincible! You’ll never have so much as a cold for the rest of your life.

Do NOT believe this crap.

Sure your veins may not be bothering you presently but there’s stuff happening beneath the surface of your skin. You have no idea how any of this will affect you in the long run. Those bulging veins will not miraculously disappear one day when you wake up.

Actually, one day when you wake up, you may see your leg discolored, swollen or even flaky. It will be the most hideous thing you’ve ever seen. And apart from amputating the limb, there will be nothing you can do about it.

So think about that the next time you’re trying to talk yourself out of a doctor’s visit. The best solution is some form of medical procedure, which only your doctor can determine.

But hey, it’s your life and you’re free to do as you wish. Don’t say we never told you to talk to your doctor when the shit hits the fan!

16. The removal of varicose veins is a painful process that will scare you for life

If this was the 1950s that myth might be true. However, thanks to advances in medical research and technology that is no longer the case. These days most of the treatments for bulging veins involve minimally invasive procedures. A tiny incision and local anesthesia is probably all it takes. There’s almost no pain or scaring that is by any means life threatening.

Some doctors usually recommend compression socks or compression stockings to their patients following the procedure. This helps to speed up the patient’s recovery time.

17. You can use garlic to get rid of varicose veins

If we had a jar for dumb things people are saying on the Internet these days, we’d have enough money to do a massive giveaway!

These so-called “home remedies” are nothing but smoke and mirrors. Here’s what the dummies are saying about garlic:

Garlic can help reduce the inflammation brought about by poor blood circulation in your veins. Many experts advise patients that if they cannot consume garlic to at least insert it into their daily diet. You can use it as a cream, if you are still not used to eating garlic. Add a bit of alcohol and mince some garlic cloves. Apply the solution four times a week on your veiny legs.

How these websites get away with saying this kind of crap is beyond our comprehension. All we have to say is that you should be aware of the kind of false statements and recommendations on poor quality websites. They make you look dumb if you do them.

If you don’t believe us, try doing what the idiots suggested above and let us know how it goes. We’ll do a full feature on you if you have a medical breakthrough and we’ll get you on the covers of People Magazine and Time.

18. Vein-stripping surgery is the only way to get rid of varicose veins

If you’ve never heard about the vein-stripping procedure, consider yourself lucky. It’s a very outdated surgical procedure that is somehow still being used today, albeit in extremely low numbers. The procedure takes a whopping two hours and requires you to be put to sleep. Yeah, no thanks!

Even more disturbing, is the low success rate, extreme pain, and a multitude of complications. All of which can leave you in a worse state after surgery compared to how you felt prior to it. If you were thinking about this as an option, forget it. And if your doctor recommended it, get a second opinion then fire your doctor. Two methods used today are Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) or Sclerotherapy. These are modern techniques that may be the best your best options.

19. Your parents, grandparents and uncle Bob had varicose veins so you’ll get it too

You probably also think that all NBA players come from families who are giants. Well, you’re wrong.

Although hereditary and genetics do play a role in you developing leg vein issues, they’re not the only causes. Many other things can contribute to your venous deficiencies, which is why there’s no one specific factor that causes them. And even if a ton of people have suffered from it in your family, you’re only half as likely to develop symptoms of your own.

If you don’t have any bulging veins right now, then enjoy your body and stop worrying about stuff that doesn’t exist.

20. You can’t take my veins because I won’t be able to live without them

Would you rather have a grotesque looking limb or a normal looking one?

If you prefer to have something that would make Frankenstein lock himself in a closet, then you’re special.

However, if you want to protect your long-term leg health from unsightly bulging veins, you’ll seek medical treatment.

Remember veins that stop working like they should cause blood to pool in certain areas. Eventually they will become noticeable and ugly. But more importantly, they’ll put a strain on your circulatory system, which may cause bigger issues for you.

The best option is to talk to your doctor and try to find a solution for preventing future issues. And don’t worry, there are millions of people who are still alive and enjoying life, even after having treatment done. You’ll be fine.

21. Prolonged standing at work or during the day can cause varicose veins

Standing for long periods won’t do anything more than increase the underlying symptoms.

If you’re a nurse or server at a restaurant, you probably should consider compression stockings. Being on your feet all day is a problem all by itself. Your blood flow decreases and can make your legs feel “heavy.”

This also applies for sitting or lying for long periods. But even though lengthy periods of standing, sitting or lying can cause you discomfort, they aren’t directly responsible for your bulging veins.

22. I don’t need treatment because I can just hide my legs

Really? You’re going to put them somewhere where no one can see them? Tell us of this magical place!

It’s not about hiding your legs. If that’s your solution then you are setting yourself up for issues in the future if your veins remain untreated. Even if other people make comments about your legs, they’re the least of your worries. You’ll have bigger fish to fry in the long run if you choose to ignore the symptoms.

You need to take care of yourself and stop getting caught up in vanity. You may be able to hide your legs from others but you’ll never be able to hide them from yourself. Unless of course, you have them amputated.

23. Wearing compression socks will eliminate varicose veins

Did somebody say compression socks? That’s what we’re all about around here. We’re not scientific geniuses but we know enough about the products to give you our opinion. In this case, this is a huge myth.

The problem with this is that a few shady health insurance companies try to circumvent paying for patient procedures. They find ways to manipulate the information available so that it gets people thinking they can be cured with compression socks. If you already have bulging veins, wearing compression socks won’t get rid of them.

These materials are usually recommended before the occurrence of bulging veins or after the vein treatment process. They can help to improve blood flow and reduce recovery periods. People who travel a lot, are on their feet all day or seated at a desk usually purchase compression clothing to reduce swelling or discomfort. You should check out our top five recommendations for compression socks if you’re considering getting a pair.

24. Yoga can cure varicose veins

Do you yoga? We do and we love it because it allows us to reach a deeper state of consciousness.

Unfortunately, the person(s) who came up with this idea must have gone too deep in their mind and suffered an atomic internal collapse. They are locked in a space-time continuum somewhere in a dream, within a dream, within a dream.

While yoga is good for you in many ways, it will never cure varicose veins in any way, shape or form. The folks who claim otherwise are delusional and you probably shouldn’t be around them.

The only way to treat your issue is by consulting with a medical professional who can evaluate your symptoms. So the next time someone tells you this crap, just meditate on that.

25. Varicose veins and spider veins are one and the same

You know how they say too much information is a bad thing? This is one of those situations.

You might hear many people using these terms loosely, to describe one or the other. However, they’re two different conditions. Here’s the difference:

Spider veins are a result of high blood pressure, which is also known as venous hypertension. These are fine tiny strands of veins that can appear as though they’re drawn on your skin. Some appear in a combination of blue, red and purple. They can show up on your hands, legs, face and other parts of your body. These are the veins that are considered to be non-life threatening and the treatments are to be cosmetic. You can think of spider veins as Spiderman’s suit or the lines on a computer motherboard.

On the other hand, varicose veins are large and protrude from beneath the skin. They are commonly found in legs and feet, and the color is a darker bluish purple compared to spider veins. Usually they are the result of a disease referred to as venous insufficiency, which predominantly occurs in the lower body parts. You can think of these veins as the raised roots of trees. They are unsightly and also deform the shape of your legs.

26. Developing varicose veins is a natural part of aging

You are just assuming that because you get old, you’re supposed to get varicose veins. Unfortunately that’s not the case.

As mentioned repeatedly throughout this post, other factors can cause venous deficiencies. Things like the type of job you do or extreme weight gain put unnecessary pressure on you body.

When you notice symptoms like discomfort or swelling around your ankles, and choose to ignore it, that’s foolish. You shouldn’t be diagnosing yourself or brushing off these problems. Doing so will put you on the track to having greater issues later on in life.

If you don’t believe us, that’s fine. Don’t even worry about us rubbing it in when the day comes. We just dish out information, we don’t advise nor can we live your life. It’s your choice.

27. The bulging veins in my legs aren’t painful so I don’t need to worry about this stuff

If you have leg vein issues, will you be in pain 24/7? Assuming you don’t have a serious medical condition, the answer is probably no.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can take the situation for granted. The presence of these veins indicates that the problem has already developed to the point of bulging veins.

Eventually it will get worse as time goes on. But that doesn’t have to be the case for you. There are vein treatments available and you should consider getting a medical professional to examine your situation. They’ll help you figure out a solution and the best way to get rid of your varicose veins.

28. Spicy foods like chili pepper will fix your varicose veins

But what happens if you’re seriously allergic to spicy foods? Looks like you’re out of luck and you’re stuck with those bulging veins for life.

Okay, that’s a lie. Just like the whole belief that spicy foods will be helpful in removing varicose veins.

You’re not doomed but will miss out on some AMAZING curried chicken mmmm.

There’s no need to load up on Benadryl and try to down a bunch of chili peppers. If you die, we’ll lose a loyal reader and have one less person to share all our content with. So don’t do that.

Also don’t believe in the “spicy” nonsense either. If it were true, there would be a chili pepper garden in millions of homes.

29. You can cure varicose veins by getting a massage

Take a moment and think about this myth carefully.

Go on, we’ll wait…

Okay, you probably realized how stupid that sounds, right?

If that were true, then we’d all rub each other into a state of vein-free bliss!

Not to mention, massage therapists would be like the pharmaceutical industry: extorting patients by charging huge sums for something that’s supposed to save lives. #capitalism

The only thing that massage may help to do is to relieve discomfort or help with swelling.

If you have swollen feet, cramps or soreness in your legs, then your doctor may recommend massage therapy. But, you definitely won’t be “rubbing out” your veins anytime soon.

30. Getting a tattoo can cause varicose veins

There is absolutely no medical evidence to support this myth. If this were true, the millions of people with tattoos, and those considering it, wouldn’t have one. Not to mention that tattoos have existed for centuries.

At some point if there was an issue, you can bet the practice would have been stopped. Someone who hated seeing people with tattoos probably started this myth. Consider this myth BUSTED!

31. Using Aloe Vera can cure your venous deficiencies

You smell that? We do too. It smells like snake oil. You could smell it from a mile away, even a camel could.

Apparently a popular website ran out of original things to give to their valuable readers and decided to offer them this instead. Here’s what they had to say:

“Aloe Vera has a cooling effect, which is known to relieve people from pain. The hot version though can be used to treat your varicose veins. Apply the gel to the veiny areas and leave them to stay overnight.”

Wow, Aloe Vera is crazy awesome! Maybe we should put some in the kitchen sink and leave it overnight. There’s a good chances those dishes will be so clean in the morning that Mr. Clean will probably grow hair.

Please don’t believe dumb stuff like this. Always ask yourself, “Will this make me look stupid?”

If the answer is yes, then it’s probably not worth doing.

32. If you get treated you won’t need to wear ugly compression socks

First of all, if you think all compression clothing is made to look like your grandma’s closet, think again.

Zensah has cool colors, Sockwell has unique designs and Vox has high performance compression wear.

Now that you’ve seen how far socks have come since the Aztec days, let’s focus on the other part of the myth.

This is not true because people who experience discomfort and are proactive use compression clothing to reduce their issues. However, if they already have bulging veins, then vein treatment would be the next step.

In the case of treatment, doctors usually prescribe compression wear to their patients to help with recovery.

Remember, if you already have bulging veins then you should talk to your doctor about your treatment options. The sooner you do this, the better it is for you and your future self.

33. Varicose veins are only a problem if you have bulging veins

So that means that you can continue to ignore those weird looking designs running across your limbs, right?

Maybe all that discomfort you’re experiencing is a result of being on your feet all day for long hours or simply a sign of old age.

This is bad thinking. These kinds of self-diagnosis are what prevents a lot of people from seeking treatment. Varicose veins don’t need to be visibly bulging out of your body before they become problematic. But since the symptoms of varicose veins tend to be nonspecific, it’s easy (and bad for you) to qualify them as something else.

Instead of doing this, you should be consulting with a medical professional. Unless you are already a doctor, in which case you probably have lots of knowledge about removing varicose veins.

34. There’s no way to tell if I have varicose veins or not

Correction, there’s no way that you can tell if you have varicose veins or not.

The only way to detect any symptoms is by doing an ultrasound in lab or hospital. Unless you’re filthy rich and just happen to have an ultrasound device in your basement. If that’s the case you should invite us for brunch.

In any case once you’ve completed the ultrasound, your phlebologist and doctor will examine the results. They’ll then determine if you need treatment and what the best option would be for removing varicose veins.

35. It’s too late for me, I already have varicose veins

Why is it too late? Where are you going? Stay for dinner please.

Look, as long as you’re breathing and living on Earth, it’s never too late for anything in life. Tweet that, quote that or just write it down.

No matter what stage you’re at with your varicose veins, you should see a doctor ASAP. You have no idea what other damage is being done internally. All that you’ll get from delaying it is more issues in the future.

As mentioned before, medical solutions for treating varicose are different than they were decades ago. If there’s a solution available, your doctor is the only one who can tell you if it’s beneficial or not.

Final Thoughts

If you made it this far, you now know more than the person who’s caught up in all the lies and misinformation about varicose veins.

This list should help you to identify some of the common myths about removing varicose veins.

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