Causes of bulging hand veins:
Age:
We all will inevitably age, and with that, our skin gets thinner. Thinner, less elastic skin is less able to hide the veins underneath the skin.
Not only is our skin weaker with age, but the valves in our veins are, too. Weak valves can cause blood to pool in veins. Strained blood flow enlarges vein size and exacerbates their visible signs.
Low body fat:
While many have the goal of losing fat to achieve their preferred aesthetic, doing so can create other cosmetic changes.
With less fat to cover and pad the skin around veins, you can see them protrude more on the surface of the skin. This doesn’t happen only on your hands, you may notice it on your arms, abs, and other body parts.
Hot weather:
Heat can play a role in why your veins are so visible. With increased temperates, veins will dilate and expand. This expansion adds stress to the vein wall and can be painful or crampy. With blood pooling under the skin from hot weather, you may notice blue ropey looking veins on your hands.
Genetics:
Visible veins in your hands could be part of your makeup, unfortunately. You may notice others in your family who’s hands show veins in the same way. If this is the case, the veins most likely don’t signify a health concern, but you may opt for a cosmetic procedure to reduce the appearance.
Varicose veins:
When you think of varicose veins, you most likely think of them on legs. Varicose veins are a sign of blood vessels not functioning properly.
Spider veins and varicose veins can appear on any part of the body where blood flow is disrupted or where vein walls and valves are damaged, and this includes hands. In this case, you may be dealing with a health issue, and you should seek medical counsel from a vascular surgeon.
Spider Vein Health Tips
Superficial thrombophlebitis:
Veins can swell near the surface of the skin, and this is called superficial thrombophlebitis. This occurrence is another health concern, but it is not usually dangerous, only painful.
This vein inflammation is generally associated with other health conditions like an autoimmune disorder, an infection, or another type of injury. Sometimes, a blood clot can be the cause of visible veins. Blood clots can form from prolonged use of an IV (intravenous drip).
Exercise:
Surprisingly, something good for you can create visible hand veins. When you work out, your blood pressure gets higher as more blood pumps through the body. Your hands aren’t an exception, and you can see veins more easily when veins are full and pushing up against the skin.
For most, the visual appearance of bulging veins returns to normal after exercise is complete, and the body has calmed down. Some individuals who exercise frequently or do high exertion exercises like lifting heavy weights may begin to see permanent blue veins in the skin.
What If My Veins Suddenly Turn Blue?
If you notice prominent blue veins appear suddenly, check for skin discoloration and wounds that won’t heal on your legs. This can be an indicator of DVT, deep vein thrombosis, which is a serious condition. Veins rapidly turning blue can be a sign of blood pooling in your veins when the circulatory system is not functioning correctly. If the veins deepen in color, turn purple, or turn green, this is a sign to seek medical evaluation immediately.
Treatment for Visible Hand Veins
There are a few options available for treating visible hand veins. You will need to consult your doctor to determine the root cause of bulging hand veins before you can start a treatment plan. If you have varicose veins or spider veins showing in your hands, there may be deeper health problems you will need to address. Something like low body weight would mean that visible veins would return to normal with weight gain. In this case, any treatment would be purely cosmetic and may not even be necessary.
Sclerotherapy:
This is a well-known procedure to reduce the look of visible veins. During sclerotherapy, a chemical solution is injected into predetermined veins. The solution makes the injected vein collapse, and it closes permanently. Over two to three weeks, the closed vein will heal and visually disappear.
Vein stripping and ligation:
This is a surgical method to close off a vein and remove it. Your doctor will make an incision, tie off the target vein, and manually remove it. Vein stripping is a more invasive treatment and will require anesthesia.
Endovenous ablation therapy:
Ablation is a less invasive manner of treating smaller veins. You may have heard of it as laser therapy or radiofrequency ablation. An amplified light or radio wave is pointed at the target vein to close it off without any incisions. No anesthesia is needed for this method of vein removal.
Ambulatory phlebectomy:
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a minimally invasive treatment to remove hand veins. Veins are removed using small incisions. You will need to consult a vascular surgeon for this type of procedure, as it is considered mini surgical.
Common Treatments Performed by a Vein Doctor in Nashville
In addition to addressing hand veins, vein doctors in Nashville offer a range of treatments for various vascular conditions. These may include:
- Endovascular Therapy: A non-surgical approach to treat conditions affecting blood vessels, often involving catheters, balloons, and stents.
- Carotid Endarterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid arteries, reducing the risk of stroke.
- Varicose Vein Treatments: Beyond sclerotherapy, options may include laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation, and ambulatory phlebectomy.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Treatment: Depending on the severity, treatments may include blood thinners, clot-dissolving medications, or filters to prevent clots from traveling to the lungs.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Interventions: Procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement to improve blood flow in the arteries.
Find a Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon in Nashville, TN
After understanding what might be causing your visible hand veins, consult with a certified vascular surgeon for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. The board-certified vascular surgeons at The Vein Centre in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin, Tennessee, can assess your visible hand veins and provide vascular health screenings to determine the appropriate course of action. Schedule a consultation by calling The Vein Centre at 615-269-9007.
