Wisconsin isn’t usually known for its nice weather, but as the days get longer and the sun starts shining into our offices, we’re reminded of the nice, warm days to come — and the issues hot temperatures can present for those suffering from varicose veins.

Many people with varicose veins report more issues with pain and swelling during summer. In this piece, we’ll detail why exactly your varicose veins hurt more when it’s hot — and what you can do about it.

Why Do My Varicose Veins Hurt When It’s Warm?

Summer can be a rough time for people with varicose veins for a number of reasons. We’ve already covered how to hide varicose veins when wearing shorts and other tricks for showing off your legs in summer. However, even if you manage to hide those unsightly veins, they might present you with another problem: pain.

Why does heat cause vein pain? Basically, when your body heats up, your veins can dilate to increase blood flow. This can impact varicose veins, which have trouble regulating blood flow, and cause swelling around them to increase. Increased swelling can mean more pain, leg fatigue, or a generalized feeling of heaviness in your legs.

If you’re wondering why your body creates varicose veins in the first place, we have plenty of articles about that. But in this case, all you need to know is that feelings of pain in your varicose veins is a medically documented phenomenon. You’re not alone!

How Do I Stop My Varicose Veins From Hurting When It’s Hot?

One of the ways to fight varicose vein pain from heat is by solving the swelling. Dehydration can increase swelling throughout the body, so if you’re trying to reduce swelling in your legs, a good first step is to drink a glass of water. 

Additionally, if you find yourself doing strenuous activity, take a break and relax your legs. If possible, elevate them above your heart for 15 minutes three times a day. Treating your legs with this care will reduce both cramps and swelling in the legs, allowing you to move with less pain.

There are also steps you can take to prevent further varicose vein development. Adding more exercise to your life — such as setting step counter goals or taking a daily bike ride — can do wonders for your general and vein-specific health. Additionally, you can also consider purchasing a pair of properly fitted compression stockings, which may prevent future varicose vein development. 

Should I Be Worried About My Varicose Vein Pain?

Pain surrounding varicose veins is incredibly common. While the main symptoms of varicose veins are simply a heavy feeling in the legs, itchiness, and frequent throbbing sensations, vein pain is among the most commonly reported symptoms of varicose veins.

While you may find certain situations, such as a warm day, activate your pain, the simple presence of pain is not a cause for concern. Still, you should discuss your varicose vein issues with a vein specialist to see if there is anything that can be done to resolve your issues — trust us, as vein experts, we know that most varicose vein issues can be resolved quickly and with very little pain!

What Can I Do To Stop My Summer Varicose Vein Pain?

When it comes to varicose veins, there is really only one solution — vein treatment. No matter what varicose vein issues you face, there is a vein treatment created just for you.

As vein experts practicing in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, we’ve seen pretty much every varicose vein issue you can see, and in every case, we’ve worked with our patients to resolve their issues quickly and painlessly. In fact, in most cases, someone treated for a varicose vein issue can return to work on the same day!

If you are interested in varicose vein treatment, reach out to us on our contact form. We would be more than happy to assist you with whatever you need.