A Facebook post shared in Nigeria in December 2020 gives detailed instructions on how to “get rid of” varicose veins using a mixture made of toothpaste and other common household ingredients.
It lists the ingredients – Colgate toothpaste, onions, Vaseline, honey and cinnamon powder – and says: “Mix all ingredients together and apply on the affected vein, scrub by giving those vein little pitch allow to stay on skin for 1 hour wash off. Repeat after 3 days.”
Varicose veins are enlarged and twisted veins, according to the US-based Mayo Clinic. The veins in your legs most often become “varicosed” because “standing and walking upright increases the pressure in the veins of your lower body”, says the clinic.