How To Cure Varicose Veins With Vinegar: Expert Advice

Varicose veins are swollen, damaged veins that typically appear on the legs and feet. They can cause pain, itching, irritation, and discomfort.1  Many people look…

Varicose veins are swollen, damaged veins that typically appear on the legs and feet. They can cause pain, itching, irritation, and discomfort.

Many people look for alternative treatments to get rid of varicose veins, such as herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, and natural products. A commonly tried alternative treatment is apple cider vinegar. 

But can vinegar help varicose veins? There have been a few studies on the effects of vinegar on varicose veins, but it’s important to know the difference between a genuine solution like vein treatments and a “snake oil” scam.

Can Vinegar Actually Cure Varicose Veins?

Vinegar is a type of acetic acid that has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.2 Some people believe that applying apple cider vinegar to the skin can reduce the swelling and inflammation of varicose veins.3 Others claim that drinking vinegar can improve blood circulation and prevent blood clots, preventing veins from collapsing in the first place.

A study from 2016 found that 120 people with varicose veins felt less discomfort when they applied apple cider vinegar to their affected areas.4 However, they also lifted their legs at a 45-degree angle while doing so. As this position can help ease the pain and swelling of varicose veins by making the blood flow correctly, it may have been more beneficial than the apple cider vinegar itself. Medical procedures are the only proven way to eliminate varicose veins.5

How To Choose the Right Vein Treatment for You

Instead of trying to learn how to cure varicose veins with vinegar, you’re better off finding a tried and tested varicose vein treatment. The right treatment for you will depend on your medical history, preferences, budget, and the severity of your condition. 

Before you decide on any treatment, consult a specialist who can evaluate your veins and give you professional advice. A vein specialist can offer you a range of treatments, from conservative therapies to minimally invasive procedures

Conservative therapies are nonsurgical methods that aim to relieve your symptoms and prevent complications. They include:

  • Leg elevation: Elevating your legs above your heart level can help reduce swelling and improve blood flow.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity can strengthen your muscles and improve your circulation.
  • Gradient compression stockings: Wearing specially designed socks or stockings can apply gentle pressure to your legs and help blood move upward.
  • Medication: Anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning drugs can ease pain and inflammation and prevent blood clots.

However, more severe veins may require minimally invasive surgical procedures to remove them permanently. These procedures include:

  • Endovenous Laser Ablation (VenaCure EVLT): Uses heat from a laser to shrink the varicose vein.
  • Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (ClosureFast, Venclose): A catheter emits high-frequency radiofrequency currents into the varicose veins, which collapses the vein’s walls and cuts off blood flow.
  • Microfoam Injection (Varithena): Nonsurgical treatment that injects a microfoam into the vein to seal it.
  • Cyanoacrylate (VenaSeal): Injects a glue-like substance (VenaSeal) to seal your damaged veins and redirect blood flow.
  • Phlebectomy: The physical removal of veins via small incisions in the skin.

These procedures involve closing or removing the affected veins, which improves blood flow and reduces symptoms. You should discuss the pros and cons of each option with your vein specialist and make an informed decision together.

Take Control of Your Varicose Veins Today

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced vein specialist in your area, My Vein Treatment can help. My Vein Treatment is a network of certified vein clinics that offer high-quality care and personalized solutions for all types of vein problems. Whether you need conservative therapies or minimally invasive procedures, My Vein Treatment can find the perfect vein specialist for you.

SOURCES:

  1. Mayo Clinic: “Varicose Veins.” 
  2. Harvard Health Publishing: “Ask the doctor: Is vinegar good for the arteries?“. 
  3. Harvard Health Publishing: “Ask the doctor: Is vinegar good for the arteries?“. 
  4. National Library of Medicine: “The Effect of External Apple Vinegar Application on Varicosity Symptoms, Pain, and Social Appearance Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”
  5. Stanford Medicine: “Treatment for Varicose Veins.”