Broken Capillaries on the Feet
The walls of the capillaries don’t contain collagen or muscle fibers, which makes them fragile. A capillary wall is only one cell thick. Because capillaries are so fragile, the can break easily. The result is thread veins that show up on your feet and ankles and elsewhere on your body, according to Dr. Chris Steele of Familygp.com.
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Changes
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When a capillary loses its elasticity, the cells in the walls of the capillary weaken, which causes the capillary to collapse. Your skin will turn red and little webs of interconnected lines will appear.
Causes
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Broken capillaries can be caused by poor circulation. If you have to stand for prolonged periods of time, this can result in broken capillaries in your feet. Pregnancy, labor, obesity, a bad diet, constipation, lifting heaving objects, sitting too long and inadequate fluid intake can also lead to broken capillaries.
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Expert Insight
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Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, author of “Six Weeks to Sensational Skin,” explains that estrogen containing medicine (e.g., birth control pill) can cause broken capillaries as can too much alcohol intake. She notes that your physician can take blood tests to see if you have a liver disease, which can lead to broken capillaries. A laser can be used to “zap” the broken capillaries and make them disappear, according to Dr. Ciraldo.
Vitamins
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You might be suffering from a vitamin C or vitamin B complex deficiency if you notice that thread veins are popping up on your feet. Discuss this possibility with your doctor.
Home Remedy
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Avianweb.com recommends rubbing the broken capillaries with coconut butter mixed with parsley oil and palmarosa and rose essential oils to improve their appearance.
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References
Resources
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