Tomato Slices Curing Varicose Veins Sadly Isn’t True

The things you can find on the Internet never really cease to amaze us these days. Unfortunately, some of the biggest rumors and misconceptions often surround medical treatments. One such thing that we're asked about often is whether or not tomato slices are a form of vein treatment.

Yes, you heard that right. There's a strange rumor making its way around the Internet that if you put tomato slices on your spider and varicose veins, it will magically cure them. If it seems ridiculous to you... well, that's because it is. Tomatoes are a big part of an ideal diet, as they're packed with many of the vitamins and nutrients to help people live a long, healthy life. But they're not some sort of magic cure for varicose veins. In this post, we'll debunk this common rumor, talk about why varicose veins develop and offer some actual, proven procedures for treating them. Here's a look:

Why Tomatoes Don’t Cure Varicose Veins

Like we said above, tomatoes are part of a healthy diet - they are not a cure for varicose veins. Simply put, varicose veins are enlarged veins that blood pools up in - and there's no way that tomato slices are able to penetrate the skin, infiltrate the vein and remove the blood that is pooled up in the vein. It's a ridiculous rumor - and if you try it, you're just going to look silly sitting around your home with tomato slices on your legs.

While we're at, we might as well get some other mythical varicose vein cures out of the way. For instance, cold showers, herbal remedies, natural oils and apple cider vinegar are other rumored treatment options that have no medical basis. Don't fall for any of them!

What Varicose Veins Are and How They Occur

To help put into perspective just how silly this whole tomato rumor is, it's important to understand what varicose veins are and why they develop. Essentially, these large, unsightly varicose veins are usually a sign of vein disease. In many people, they're nothing more than unsightly, but in others they can lead to discomfort. They often form due to weak vein valves and/or as a result of circulatory issues. Some common risk factors include:

• Age: The older you get, the more likely you are to develop varicose veins. This is simply due to more wear and tear being put on the body over time.
• Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop varicose veins, largely due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause. Certain hormonal treatments can help reduce risk.
• Family history: If varicose veins run in your family, there's a better chance that you'll have them too.
• Obesity: Anything that adds pressure and stress to your veins can make it more likely for varicose veins to develop. While pregnancy is one risk factor, so too is obesity.
• Lifestyle: Lack of exercise, and sitting or standing for long periods of time on a regular basis can also hinder blood flow.

Treatments for Varicose Veins

Forget tomatoes, when it comes to treatment for varicose veins, you want to ensure that you're only undergoing tried and true procedures. Here's a look at some of the most effective, convenient and minimally invasive ones available today:

• Sclerotherapy: One of the most effective types of procedures for treating varicose veins, sclerotherapy involves injecting a foam into the problematic vein to help it close shut. Once it does, blood flow will re route to healthy veins.
• Laser and radiofrequency ablation: These two procedures also work to close off the affected vein, but they work differently. Laser ablation, for instance, uses a heated laser to get the job done while radiofrequency ablation, fitting to the name, uses radio waves. Both procedures are effective treatments.
• Phlebectomy: Ideal for medium-sized and larger veins, this procedure involves making a small incision near the vein and actually removing it from the body.

It's important to note that while these treatments are safe and effective, implementing lifestyle changes such as prioritizing more exercise and making dietary changes are also key to ensuring that additional varicose veins do not develop in the future.

Dr. Ives, Vein Doctor in Fairbanks, AK

For more information and to view our varicose vein treatment options, meet Dr. Ives in Fairbanks, Alaska. Contact us today for more information and to schedule your consultation.