Natural Treatments for Broken Capillaries
When red, thin threads appear on your skin, you probably have broken capillaries or "spider veins." Capillaries are the thin, tiny connecting blood vessels between arteries and veins. Capillaries can break for a variety of reasons, including overexposure to the sun, smoking, and underlying medical problems. There are a number of natural treatments that may help to heal and prevent broken capillaries. Does this Spark an idea?
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Essential Oils
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Essential oils like parsley, marigold, lemon, peppermint and geranium can help to slow down the spread of broken capillaries and reduce their appearance. These oils may be safely applied to the skin when they are mixed with a skin-safe "carrier" or base oil. Mix 10 to 12 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil such as rose hip seed oil or evening primrose oil for added benefit and daily use.
Temperatures and Cosmetics
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People who are prone to broken capillaries need to avoid extreme hot temperatures such as saunas, facial steams and excessive sun exposure. Harsh cleansers, chemicals and cosmetics that can cause skin reactions such as burning, itching and redness should not be used.
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Alcohol & Stress
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Alcohol dilates and weakens capillaries. Limiting your alcohol intake can prevent or reduce "spider veins." Excessive stress can strain blood vessels and cause broken capillaries, so reducing stress can reduce damage to capillaries.
Vitamins
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When the body is deficient in vitamins C and E capillaries will weaken. Vitamin C helps to keep the vein walls strong and vitamin E helps to keep the blood from clotting. Recommended daily dose for vitamin C is 500 to 3000 milligrams and 200 to 600 IU's (international units) of vitamin E daily.
Horse Chestnut
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Horse Chestnut (Semen Aesculus hippocastanum) helps to tone and strengthen the walls of blood vessels, which in turn helps to prevent the enlargement of blood vessels and broken capillaries.
Diet
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According to Dr. Robert Ginsburg at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, if you strain when having a bowel movement it may weaken the veins,which can lead to broken capillaries over time. Therefore, he suggests eating a high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
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