As beautiful as the summer is, those with weak veins suffer particularly now. This is because the blood vessels dilate with every degree, making you more prone to varicose veins and thick legs. The vessels no longer have enough elasticity. As a result, they expand too much in the heat. The venous valves, which are supposed to prevent blood from flowing back into the legs, close even more poorly than they already do. The result: the blood builds up and leads to swollen legs. But you can do something about it - and your shoes play a major role. Here are our SOS tips for beautiful feet and legs!
Regular exercise activates the muscle pump
Activity is the key to avoiding vein problems. Every time the calf muscles are tensed, they also push the blood upwards. Swimming, walking and cycling are particularly recommended to combat swollen legs. Or take the stairs instead of the elevator in everyday life, for example. You can also do regular vein exercises at the office, such as circling your feet in both directions or alternately pulling the tips of your feet towards your shins.
Flat shoes against swollen legs
High heels may look elegant, but they are not very healthy for the veins. The reason: the natural rolling movement of the foot is missing. The rolling movement of the foot is important because the calf muscles are moved more. This supports the vein pump in its work and promotes the return flow of blood. In spring and summer, it is therefore best to wear flat shoes as often as possible. Make sure that the shoes have a soft sole and that the toes are not constricted. The healthiest thing for your legs and therefore the best remedy for swollen legs is to walk barefoot. This is because the sole of the foot can roll optimally from the heel to the tips of the toes, so that the foot and leg muscles are perfectly activated.
Showering off with cold water stimulates blood circulation
Cold water causes the vein walls to contract and become more elastic. At the same time, blood circulation is stimulated. A cold leg shower in the morning after a warm shower is the most suitable - as it is easy to do. Treading water and alternating showers have the same effect against swollen legs.
Put your legs up from time to time for relaxation
Take the pressure off your veins regularly by putting your legs up. This makes it easier for the blood to flow back to the heart. It also relieves pressure on the venous valves and immediately makes your lower legs look slimmer. If you can't do this at work during the day, put your legs up at home in the evening to prevent swollen legs.
Wearing compression stockings promotes blood reflux
If you have severe vein problems, you should also wear support or compression stockings in summer. These exert external pressure on the dilated veins. This allows the flaccid venous valves to close again, ensuring that the blood flows back to the heart.
And this is what we can do for beautiful feet
Blisters: New shoes can rub a lot when you first wear them. And in no time at all, painful blisters have formed, making every step a pain. Blister plasters speed up the healing process. They also absorb the fluid in the blister and form a pain-relieving cushion. Extra tip: Apply milking grease or Vaseline to your feet before slipping into your new shoes. This protects against friction and keeps your feet nice and soft.
Burning: Sore feet after a long day - especially people who walk or stand a lot at work are familiar with this. If your feet often burn or tingle, this may be an indication of an impending misalignment. This occurs when the foot cannot move in the shoe. Insoles promote mobility and allow the foot to roll. Otherwise: walk barefoot often for beautiful feet.
Athlete's foot: Whether in the swimming pool or shoe store - the pathogens lurk everywhere. Once the fungus has gained a foothold, it rarely disappears on its own. To treat athlete's foot, ask at the pharmacy for creams and solutions containing antimycotics (e.g. in Ciclopoli). These kill off the pathogens. And to prevent it from getting that far in the first place: never walk barefoot in public baths. When shopping for shoes: only slip them on with a pair of socks.
Foot odor: Now you're sweating a lot again - even on your feet. Tip: For beautiful feet, avoid shoes with synthetic soles and socks made of synthetic fibers. They exacerbate the problem. Better: leather shoes. You can also take care of your feet with lavender, oak bark or sage baths - these can reduce perspiration and thus combat foot odor.