A lot of cosmetic concerns can disappear as the temperature drops.

Fall and winter are the time of year where pretty much everyone is wrapped in several layers of warm, bulky clothing. If you’re someone who is normally concerned about your beach body, the next six to eight months are often thought of as the perfect time to throw on a sweater and take a load off your mind.

However, if you’re someone with varicose veins, you shouldn’t wait for the sunshine to handle them. 

Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic concern. These enlarged, twisted veins can lead to aching, swelling, itching, a heavy feeling in the legs, and more.

We’re vein professionals in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. While your legs may be the last thing on your mind right now, here’s why we think that this is one of the best seasons to seek vein treatment.

1. You Can Plan Around Holiday Travel

Fall and winter can mean a lot of travel. Road trips, flights, hours spent sitting next to family and friends — it can all lead to you spending a lot of time in a single position, which can in turn aggravate leg discomfort and swelling.

By scheduling your appointment before the holiday rush, you can allow yourself a little breathing room. You can discuss your symptoms, make plans for travel, and have an honest conversation with your vein specialist about the best time for treatment.

If you reach out now, for example, your specialist may suggest waiting until after your next trip. From there, you can schedule an appointment with better availability than had you waited until just before the year’s end.

Plus, timing matters. Depending on your exact procedure, you may require rest or have restrictions on flying and strenuous activity. By reaching out soon, you can better plan for these issues.

2. Winter Doesn’t Make Your Symptoms Go Away

Many aspects of varicose veins get worse in the summer. Owing to this fact, many procrastinate on treatment, thinking that they will finally seek it out when the pain or discomfort returns.

There are two problems with this. First, varicose veins don’t go away by themselves — meaning that even if the discomfort is gone, the root problem is still there. Second, winter is not a time free from varicose vein discomfort.

Damaged vein valves can continue to cause aching, heaviness, and swelling year-round. Not only that, but if winter means spending more time sitting indoors, you might notice additional discomfort after long periods without movement.

3. Cooler Weather Can Make Compression Stockings More Comfortable

Anyone with varicose veins is probably familiar with compression stockings.

While some people may think of them as uncomfortable, that’s likely because they simply haven’t found a pair with the right fit. A well-fitted pair of compression stockings can be comfortable, stylish, and easy to wear.

Depending on your procedure, a specialist may recommend that you wear compression stockings for a brief period following your treatment. These are much easier to incorporate into fall and winter outfits than summer outfits. Therefore, you might want to consider varicose vein treatment sooner rather than later.

4. You Can Give Your Legs Time to Recover Before Spring

Modern varicose vein treatments are typically quick and low-pain. In fact, most patients can return to their job or normal lives on the very same day.

However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t occasional issues. Bruising, tenderness, and temporary discoloration can occur, and treated veins may take weeks or months to fade. Some people also need more than one appointment.

By scheduling now, you can give your legs time to fully recover while also giving your body time to allow the visible changes to happen before warm weather returns.

5. You Have Time to Sort Out Appointments and Insurance

Varicose vein treatment usually starts with an assessment. At your first meeting, a vein specialist can discuss your problems, use an ultrasound to examine blood flow, then determine which veins are causing issues — and how those issues can be fixed.

By sorting all of this out now, you can give yourself time to figure out exactly which procedures you want and determine whether they will be covered by health insurance. 

You may think that your case doesn’t qualify for health insurance coverage. You’d be surprised — clinics like our Milwaukee, Wisconsin practice accept many different kinds of insurance, and we can work with you to figure out whether your procedure will be covered.

If you’re interested in varicose vein treatment, reach out today to schedule a consultation. We will help you figure out what procedures you need and the best time to schedule them.