Spider veins appear as a spidery network of reddish-purple veins. Generally, they appear in the legs, and women tend to get them more than men. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins don't tend to be painful, but most people dislike the way the veins look.
The home remedy world is flooded by all kinds of ideas as to how to get rid of these veins without surgery. The big question is, "Do they work?" Here are 6+ home remedy myths regarding spider veins
1. Ginkgo biloba. One of the big home remedies circulating is that ginko biloba and other supplements will heal spider veins. Vein Innovations dispels this belief by pointing out that although the supplements generally won't hurt you, they won't help with the spider veins.
2. Tomatoes. One of the hottest home remedies right now is using slices of green or red tomatoes to heal varicose veins. Spider veins are a result of a damaged veins, and placing tomatoes on them cannot repair them, according to Compression Point.
3. Apple cider vinegar. Touted as the cure-all for just about everything, apple cider vinegar supposedly shrinks the veins and causes them to disappear. The Vein Specialists of the South dispel this idea as false as well. The astringent might help tone the skin, but it has no affect on damaged veins.
4. Exercise. Keeping the veins healthy through exercise won't cure spider veins, according to the Georgia Vein Center, but it is a good way to prevent the occurrence of them.
5. Lose weight. Once the veins have made their appearance, you can lose all the weight you want, and it won't get rid of the damaged veins. The Vein Specialists of the South do state that keeping your weight sensible will help prevent them from forming.
6. Elevating legs. Elevating your legs above your heart for 15 minutes at a time three times a day won't heal the damaged veins, but LIVESCIENCE does recommend this technique for preventing them in the first place.
7. Limit high heels. Restricting yourself to a life of flats won't heal spider veins either, but the Georgia Vein Center does say that being sensible about your footwear and saving the heels for special occasions may help prevent the spider veins.
Unfortunately, some things cannot be cured with home remedies, and spider veins is one of these things. Take care of your body, but once the spider veins appear, see a specialist for help.