When it gets to be late spring, a lot of people become anxious for summer to get here – from the last day of school to exciting summer vacations – summertime is the season for fun. However, most patients suffering from varicose veins feel the most relieved when summer is over. The hotter months can increase blood flow and worsen the varicose veins symptoms.

How Does Heat Affect Varicose Veins?

Warmth has a dilatory effect on veins, meaning the veins widen and more blood flows to the surface of the skin. High summer temperatures can cause your veins to dilate, increasing swelling and discomfort. A majority of patients report increased skin sensitivity during the warmer months with itching, tenderness, and rashes.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Legs in the Summer?

Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle is crucial to decrease the stress of vein swelling that can be accompanied by the heat. Here are a few other ways to help manage your varicose veins in the summer:

1. Get Your Blood Pumping

Creating an exercise routine, walking or swimming can help to relieve the venous congestion and swelling that builds up. Plus, moderate activity can actually boost vein health. If you want to be active outside, it’s best to avoid the sun when it’s in the hottest part of the day. While you can’t always avoid the high summer temperatures, you can support your vein health with an active lifestyle that helps prevent problems for your veins.

2. Drink LOTS of Water

Whether you have varicose veins or not, drinking plenty of water is very important – especially during the summer months when you naturally perspire a little more. Hydrating is essential because you can lose valuable electrolytes through sweat, causing you to be deprived of vital nutrients.

3. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

While a sunburn on its own doesn’t cause varicose veins, it can severely damage your skin, negatively affecting the tiny blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface and highlighting the appearance of spider veins. A sunburn will naturally increase the temperature of your skin and dilate your blood vessels. Heat is NOT good for your varicose veins.

Contact Summit Skin & Vein Care at (816) 533-4398 today for more information or schedule an appointment to start treatment for varicose veins!