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For many, the colder months bring the promise of exciting winter activities. The snow offers us the chance to hit the slopes, take up snowshoeing, or do some sledding with the kids. For others, the idea of a cozy room with a warm fireplace and a cup of hot cocoa as you curl up with your favorite book is something you look forward to all year. The winter possibilities are endless.
Did you know that winter is also the perfect time to take care of your varicose veins? While it may not be an obvious winter activity, there are many benefits to having varicose vein treatment performed during the colder months. Here, we take you through the most compelling reasons to have your veins treatments performed in winter.
Varicose veins often worsen in winter months
The severity of your varicose or spider veins usually worsens in winter. This is largely due to the fact that we become less active when the weather turns, as the rain and snow starts to keep us indoors and sedentary. Our circulation decreases because of this inactivity and blood can pool in the legs. Performing sclerotherapy during this inactive time is often preferable for most patients, and the winter inactivity can actually be beneficial for the healing process of the treatment.
Winter clothes protect skin from UV rays
Recovering from your vein treatment involves many factors, one of the most important of which is protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays. Exposure to the sun, no matter how strong, can affect the topmost layer of your skin and impede healing by restricting the skin’s ability to receive the blood that it needs. By having your treatments performed in winter, you will reduce exposure to UV rays as your winter clothing will protect you.
It’s more comfortable to wear compression socks in winter
Another important factor in proper recovery from vein treatment is to wear compression socks or stockings immediately following your procedure. Compression stockings improve blood flow through pressure, which results in more rapid healing. These stockings can be thick, and thus wearing them during the summer months can be uncomfortable. Many patients will opt to have their treatments performed in winter as it is much easier and more comfortable to wear these compression stockings when the weather is cold.
Plenty of time to heal before the summer months
Summertime brings the promise of pool parties, beach trips and tons of outdoor activities, all of which will see you wearing shorts or dresses that expose your legs. For this reason, avoiding having your vein treatments performed in summer and having them done in winter means that you will have adequate time to heal before summer comes along. You may require multiple treatments in order to fully treat your veins, so the more time you give yourself to heal, the better.
Winter offers plenty of reasons to rest
Once you’ve had your veins treated, you’ll want to take the very best care of your legs while you heal so that you can recover quickly. Cold winter months are a great excuse to catch up on some reading or do the quiet things you don’t get to do during the summer months, so take advantage of the opportunity to rest your legs following treatment!
Deciding to get your veins treated is a big step in maintaining your health and wellbeing. Winter offers many advantages in terms of planning for and recovering from vein treatments. However, if you are suffering from the symptoms of vein disease, seek treatment no matter the season.
