In India, a growing number of varicose vein cases are reported each year but there is still a lack of knowledge regarding its symptoms and cure. Most patients get scared on the sight of swollen or enlarged veins and are unaware of the fact that varicose veins are completely curable.
A poor understanding of this medical condition has made the people believe certain things about varicose veins that are not at all true. In this blog today, we will address some of the most common varicose vein myths and clear all misconceptions :
1. Varicose veins are caused due to a neurological disorder
This is undoubtedly the most common misconception related to varicose veins. A majority of the people believe that the visible varicose veins are actually nerves and seek medical advice from a neurologist instead of a vascular expert.
Varicose veins are not nerves and they do not need a neurological treatment. The “Pregabalin” medicine or any other neurological pain reliever that is prescribed by a neurologist will not offer any relief in case of varicose veins. These can only be treated by a vascular expert and a patient who has varicose vein symptoms must not think twice before booking an appointment with a vascular expert.
2. Varicose veins are treated by a dermatologist
Most patients who notice the skin below their knee joint turning darker due to varicose veins consult a dermatologist assuming it to be a skin allergy. They continue to consume medicines and use ointments as prescribed by the dermatologist without any significant improvement in their condition.
This is a clear case of stasis eczema, also called venous eczema which is secondary to varicose veins. For an accurate treatment of venous eczema, the patient must first cure its cause i.e. the varicose veins with the help of a vascular expert and then consult a dermatologist if the skin is still discoloured.
Using the dermatologist-prescribed steroid-based ointment isn’t suggested as it thins the skin causing a decrease in the local immunity which further increases the chances of infections and damage.
3. Venous ulcers can be treated by plastic surgery
Leg and foot ulcers are often confused with a mosquito bite, an injury or most commonly as a side effect of high blood sugar levels. These are ignored and left untreated until the patient witnesses severe pain and is unable to stand or walk.
Venous ulcers, the most popular type of leg and foot ulcers are actually caused due to varicose veins. Getting a skin graph or putting patches of artificial skin on these ulcers does not heal them. These procedures may rather cause more damage in the due course of time. The venous ulcers can only be treated if the varicose veins are also being simultaneously treated by preferably the same vascular expert.
4. Compression stockings will cure varicose veins
Another popular myth is that the compression stockings, also called support stockings are a perfect cure to varicose veins. This is not at all true. Compression stockings offer only temporary relief and that too only to a handful of patients who are at the initial stages of varicose veins.
These stockings are of little to no use for people with a long history of varicose veins. Using the compression stockings in a hot country like India may anyway lead to excessive sweating thus causing more damage than relief. You must never use support stockings without consulting your vascular expert.
5. Varicose veins surgery has a poor success rate
Even today, in this era of scientific growth and massive developments in the medical sector, a large number of people believe that there is no cure for varicose veins. This is far from the truth as varicose veins can be easily treated for patients of all age groups.
Though varicose veins have traditionally been always treated with surgical procedures, the endovenous laser treatments have also showcased a fair success rate for even the most severe cases of varicose veins.
At Avis Hospitals, under the guidance and support of Dr. Rajah V Koppala, we conduct approximately 5000 varicose procedures every year. With a booming success rate, we are proud to have become the leading hospital for the treatment of varicose veins in India. Book an appointment with us for quick relief and total cure of varicose veins!
