July is UV (ultraviolet radiation) Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the effects of prolonged sun exposure on your health. While many of us are aware of the risks of sun exposure, did you know that too much sun can also impact your vein health?
Prolonged sun exposure and heat can worsen symptoms of vein disease, a common condition that affects over 40 million adults in the U.S. In addition to symptoms like leg pain and swelling, vein disease can also cause the appearance of varicose and spider veins.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about how sun exposure affects vein health.
What is Vein Disease?
Vein disease, or venous insufficiency, happens when the veins in your legs become damaged, causing the blood to flow backward instead of toward your heart. The pressure from blood pooling in the legs can cause the veins to expand and bulge from underneath the skin, contributing to the appearance of varicose and spider veins.
In addition to visible veins, vein disease can cause the following symptoms:
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Leg pain that feels better when you walk or raise your legs
- Itchy, dry skin
- Tired, aching legs
- Burning in the calf or thigh
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Difficulty standing for long periods
These symptoms will progress if untreated, and certain factors like heat from the sun can aggravate symptoms, creating significant discomfort and leading to serious health complications such as non-healing sores on your leg and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Do Spider Veins Get Worse in the Sun?
The sun can worsen the appearance of spider veins. In fact, excessive sun exposure is a risk factor for spider veins. This is because the sun’s ultraviolet rays can break down the collagen in your skin, causing the skin to thin and make the tiny blood vessels underneath more pronounced.
Other risk factors that can increase the risk of spider veins include:
- Family history of vein disease: When it comes to malfunctioning veins, there is a strong hereditary link.
- Prolonged standing: Veins need to work harder to pump blood back up to the heart. When standing for a long time, blood tends to pool in the legs, ankles, and feet.
- Obesity or being overweight: Excess weight can weaken vein valves over time, causing them to malfunction.
- Pregnancy: A combination of increased blood flow and additional weight can raise your vein disease risks.
- History of blood clots: Blood clots can damage your vein valves and result in them malfunctioning.
- Use of birth control pills: An influx of hormones, particularly estrogen, can weaken valves and cause spider veins to appear.
Some risk factors are out of your control; however, addressing other risk factors is one way to be proactive about spider vein prevention.
Is the Sun Good for Varicose Veins?
The sun can also worsen varicose vein symptoms. The sun’s warmth causes veins to dilate and fill with more blood, which means that varicose veins will look bigger. Not only do varicose veins become more prominent under the sun, but it can also cause more painful symptoms, such as:
- Heavy Legs: This is often reported as feeling like you have weights on your ankles.
- Swelling: Occurs in the legs, ankles, or feet.
- Itching and Burning: Although this may seem like a skin issue, tell your vein specialist if these symptoms accompany swollen veins.
Treatment for Vein Disease Worsened by Sun Exposure
Colder weather and shorter days can help with pain, swelling, and the appearance of your veins; however, the damage done by vein disease is irreversible. If you’re experiencing symptoms of vein disease, it’s important to talk about them with a vein specialist. A vein specialist can offer expert insights and procedures that can effectively reduce symptoms and visible veins without the need for surgery.
USA Vein Clinics offers minimally invasive treatments that are FDA-approved and can be done in an outpatient setting. Many patients are surprised to learn that they can return home the same day as their treatment.
Contact USA Vein Clinics
Varicose veins don’t have to put a damper on your outdoor plans. Take the first step toward healthy legs and schedule an appointment so you can enjoy the weather without swelling and pain.
USA Vein Clinics is nationally recognized by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Vascular Testing (IAC) and accepts most health insurance plans. With over 168 clinics from coast-to-coast, expert vein care has become more accessible and convenient. Find a vein clinic near you to get started.
*Last Reviewed 6/26/2025
