Can I soak my feet in hot water if I have varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a vascular problem that exists in many middle-aged and elderly people, because veins are distributed all over the human body, and the main function of veins is to transport blood and other substances. When the blood in the veins is blocked, it may cause varicose veins. The most important symptom of varicose veins is the prominent blue veins on the surface of the skin. For patients with varicose veins, can they use hot water to soak their feet to relieve their condition?

"It is beneficial for normal people to soak their feet in hot water of appropriate temperature, as it can dilate the arteries and veins in the feet and promote blood circulation. But for patients with varicose veins, soaking feet in hot water is not only useless, but also counterproductive." Yi Xiaolei said that when soaking feet in hot water, the temperature of the patient's ankles will increase, which will increase the flow of local arterial blood, but it cannot change venous return, and may even aggravate the dilation of venous blood vessels, increase venous blood congestion and reflux burden, and lead to worsening of varicose veins. At the same time, patients with varicose veins in the lower limbs should not use hot water bottles to warm their feet or take sauna baths. The temperature of the bath water should not exceed 40°C.

“Foot soaking in spring can raise yang and strengthen the body; in summer, it can remove dampness and relieve heat; in autumn, it can moisten the lungs and intestines; in winter, it can warm the dantian.” According to traditional Chinese medicine, foot soaking is suitable for all seasons, but the health-preserving effects are different in each season.

Although the warm stimulation of the peripheral nerves in the feet when soaking your feet in hot water can have an inhibitory effect on the cerebral cortex, making people feel comfortable and relaxed in the brain, it can speed up falling asleep and deepen sleep. However, foot soaking is not suitable for everyone. It will cause the blood vessels in the lower limbs to dilate, making the original varicose veins worse. Especially for those who have varicose veins in the lower limbs, it is not recommended to soak the feet or take a bath in hot water.