Many over the counter varicose vein creams are sold online and in pharmacies. These products advertise that they can effectively reduce swelling, heal broken capillaries and blood valves, and improve blood circulation. These benefits are great for alleviating some of the pain caused by varicose veins, but, unfortunately, applying a cream is not an effective method of eradicating bulging veins.

Why Won’t a Cream Get Rid of Bulging Veins?

Varicose veins form when the valves that push blood through your veins are damaged and can no longer move blood into and out of individual veins. Unfortunately, there is no way to repair a damaged blood valve in a superficial vein where varicose veins occur. Treatment procedures for varicose veins do not repair the blood valves; they simply remove the damaged veins or seal them so that blood can no longer pass through the vein. Because damaged blood valves cannot be repaired, creams are not effective in getting rid of varicose veins.

Why Use a Varicose Vein Cream?

If you’ve suffered with varicose veins for too long without treatment, your veins can begin exhibiting symptoms that affect your happiness, overall well-being, and quality of life. For example, varicose veins can swell and ache, keeping you up at night or encouraging the development of restless leg syndrome—a sleeping disorder that makes you feel like you need to move or shake your legs frequently in the night. Varicose vein creams can reduce swelling and provide relief from pain caused by varicose veins, so they’re effective for alleviating unpleasant symptoms.

How Do You Get Rid of Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins can only be eradicated with treatment. Phlebologists—doctors who specialize in treating venous disease—can perform a number of modern treatments to eliminate your bulging veins and the underlying causes of them. A number of treatments are available:

• Sclerotherapy: A doctor injects a chemical solution into your damaged veins that clears out built up blood in the vein and seals the vein so that blood can no longer enter it.
• Endovenous Laser Treatment: A doctor uses radiofrequency technology to damage vein walls, encouraging pooled blood in the vein to divert back into the circulatory system and shrinking damaged veins so blood can no longer pass through them.
• VenaSeal: A doctor injects a glue-like substance into damaged veins to seal the vein and prevent blood from reentering it. The pooled blood in the vein is reabsorbed by the body.

These modern treatments—as well as many others—are non-invasive and can be performed in your doctor’s office during your lunch break. Treatment is the only way to get rid of varicose veins and prevent them from returning.

If you’ve been avoiding treatment because of the costs, you should know that some insurance companies cover treatment if your varicose veins are causing pain, health issues, or impacting your quality of life. To find out how much treating your varicose veins may cost, visit our treatment cost calculator.