[KoK! Health] "Like a worm crawling on the leg..." Beware of Tight Leggings and Boots

Tight Boots and Leggings... Causing This Winter Illness

During winter, there are many factors that can increase the risk of developing varicose veins, so special care is needed. Popular winter fashion items such as long boots and fleece-lined leggings can cause varicose veins, so it is best to avoid them if possible.

[KoK! Health] "Like a worm crawling on the leg..." Beware of Tight Leggings and Boots

[Image source=Pixabay]

Varicose veins are a vascular disease caused by abnormalities in the valves of the leg veins. There are about 60 valves in the leg veins. These valves help prevent blood that has flowed down the legs from flowing backward and assist in returning it to the heart. When the valves malfunction, they fail to prevent blood reflux, causing blood to pool and veins to expand, leading to circulation problems.

If left untreated, the veins in the calf area become bumpy and swollen like worms crawling, and even walking a short distance can cause leg pain, swelling, cramps, and easy fatigue. It can cause skin pigmentation, dermatitis, vasculitis, bleeding, and in severe cases, skin ulcers. It may also cause indigestion and constipation, and in women, it can interfere with hormone metabolism, worsening menstrual irregularities or dysmenorrhea, making early diagnosis and treatment important.

Leggings and boots worn for warmth and fashion compress the legs, hindering the flow of blood and bodily fluids, which is detrimental to leg health. Additionally, using heating devices strongly in rapidly cold weather causes a large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, making blood vessels repeatedly contract and relax, reducing elasticity and increasing the risk of varicose veins. Women, in particular, need to be especially careful as their leg muscles are weaker than men’s.

Treatment for varicose veins varies depending on the severity of symptoms. In the early stages, moderate exercise, rest, and wearing compression stockings can be effective. In severe cases, removing the great saphenous vein that has lost function due to reflux can be helpful. Various methods such as high ligation and stripping, local vein excision, laser surgery, and sclerotherapy can be performed depending on the patient’s vascular condition. Recently, advances in treatment allow patients to resume daily activities immediately after surgery with minimal scarring.

Professor Jeon Heung-man of the Department of Vascular Surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital explained, “Many people misunderstand that varicose veins can be completely cured with a simple surgery. However, if not properly treated, it can even cause deep vein thrombosis. Most modern people who stand for long periods experience some degree of varicose veins and venous insufficiency symptoms that cause them. In such cases, a combination of treatments including compression, exercise, medication, and surgery should be implemented through consultation with specialists.”

Professor Jeon also advised, “To prevent varicose veins, shoes that allow ankle movement are better than boots that tightly squeeze up to the knees, and developing a habit of frequently moving the legs is most important. Avoid crossing your legs while sitting, and massaging from the ankle to the knee before sleeping can also be helpful.”