Are your hand veins becoming more visible than they used to be? Veiny hands may be the result of aging, your genes, or even the weather. They can also be a sign of an underlying vein health condition, so seeing a vein specialist is important if you have bulging veins in your hands and aren’t sure why.
USA Vein Clinics specializes in treating the underlying cause of bulging veins and related vein health issues. Read on to find out what causes veins to be more visible in the hands and what you should do if you’re concerned about them.
Take Our Free Vein Health Quiz
What Causes My Veins To Bulge in the Arms and Hands?
Veins are blood vessels that transport blood back to the heart. When blood flow to veins increases, which can happen during exercise, when you’re stressed, or when it’s hot out, they might look like they’ve popped out.
Almost anyone can experience veiny hands when blood flow increases temporarily, causing the veins to swell and become more visible. Protruding hand veins may be more common and consistent for individuals with thinner skin or less body fat.
Although veiny hands are usually not a health concern, in some cases, they may indicate an underlying health issue. If you notice other symptoms or persistent vein prominence, you should schedule a consultation with a vein care specialist.
Schedule a Vein Consultation Online Today
Why Are My Hands So Veiny?
Here’s an overview of what might be causing your hands to look veiny. These factors can also affect other parts of the body, giving the appearance of veiny arms, legs, or feet.
Heat Exposure
When it’s hot, more blood flows near the surface of the body to help cool the body down.¹ This causes blood vessels near the skin to expand, so you might notice blue ropey-looking veins in your hands when exposed to high temperatures.
Age and Skin Thinning
Thinning skin is a natural part of aging. Older adults produce less collagen, which is the protein that makes skin elastic and gives it structure.² With thin or loose skin on the hands, it’s easier to see the veins underneath.
Low Body Fat
A person with low body fat will have less fat between the veins and the skin. As a result, it’s easier to see veins in the hands and other areas, like arms and feet.
Genetics
Genetics plays a role in your skin and veins.
Some people may have a family history of varicose veins. This condition leads to bulging veins that appear raised above the skin. Varicose veins typically occur in the legs, feet, and ankles, but they can also appear in the hands.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Veins in the hands might protrude during or after intense physical activity, such as weight lifting or running. When you exercise, blood pumps harder, causing the veins to expand to accommodate the increased blood flow.
While intense exercises can cause veins to protrude temporarily, those with varicose veins can benefit from incorporating low-impact exercises into their routine. Activities like walking, swimming, cycling, and yoga are particularly good for improving circulation without putting excessive pressure on the veins.
These exercises help strengthen the calf muscles, which play a crucial role in assisting blood flow back to the heart. They can also reduce the risk of worsening varicose veins and alleviate associated symptoms such as swelling and discomfort.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations can also influence the visibility of veins in the hands. High estrogen levels, such as during pregnancy, can cause veins to expand and become more noticeable. After menopause, reduced estrogen levels can weaken vein walls, potentially contributing to the appearance of prominent hand veins, similar to how they affect the legs’ varicose veins.
Anxiety and Stress
Feeling stress once in a while isn’t likely to impact your veins. However, chronic anxiety and stress can raise blood pressure, which may also lead veins in the hands to appear larger. When blood pressure increases, the strain on the delicate lining of blood vessel walls causes stretching and potential vein damage.4
Medical Conditions
If your hands are always veiny, there could be an underlying issue with vein health. Protruding veins in different areas of the body, including the hands and arms, can be the result of fluid build-up and poor blood circulation caused by vein damage.
One possible cause is phlebitis, an inflammation of the veins that can occur due to injury, infection, or an autoimmune disorder.5 Phlebitis can cause veins to appear larger and may increase the risk of blood clots.
Another condition that affects vein health is chronic venous insufficiency or vein disease. This occurs when the delicate valves in your veins become damaged, leading to blood flowing backward and causing the vein walls to stretch. This process can result in twisted, enlarged veins, commonly known as varicose veins.
In addition to visible bulging veins, symptoms of varicose veins may include tingling in the hands and feet, calf cramps, numbness, and swelling.
When to Be Concerned About Veiny Hands
If you have an underlying vein issue, veiny hands might be more than a cosmetic issue; they could indicate a higher risk for a blood clot. Blood clots can be dangerous, so it’s crucial to seek medical care immediately if you suspect you might have one.
Signs of a blood clot include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- An area of the skin that feels warm to the touch
A blood clot can develop in various parts of the body, such as the leg, feet, hand, or arm.
Additionally, if you have veiny hands accompanied by symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency – such as leg swelling, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, or itchy skin – it’s important to consult a vein doctor. A vein specialist can help determine the cause of your protruding veins and develop a treatment plan if necessary.
Consult a vein specialist at USA Vein Clinics to learn about treatment options. Minimally invasive vein treatments such as endovenous laser vein treatment (EVLT), sclerotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can address the root cause of vein health issues, helping to reduce the appearance of bulging veins while improving blood circulation.
Book a consultation at a vein clinic near you today. Call 888.768.3467 or schedule online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are veiny hands dangerous?
Veiny hands are usually not dangerous, but it’s still a good idea to have them checked by a vein specialist to find the cause. Most people with bulging hand veins that don’t go away have thinner skin or less body fat, making the veins more visible. Exercising, heat, and even stress can contribute to more visible veins.
Do veiny hands mean you’re dehydrated?
When the body is dehydrated, there’s less fluid in the body. That can cause blood to thicken and circulation to slow down, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the body. As a result, hand veins can appear more prominent.
Try drinking more water to help visible veins in your arms and hands go away.
How can I make my hand veins less visible?
Protecting the skin from the sun to avoid UV damage and eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can keep your skin and veins healthier and prevent protruding veins. Drinking plenty of water can also help by supporting healthy blood circulation and preventing dehydration.
If you’re concerned with how your hands look, you can see a vein specialist to learn about treatment options.
MORE QUESTIONS? TALK TO A VEIN SPECIALIST TODAY
Sources:
- “Effect of heat stress on vascular outcomes in humans,” Journal of Applied Physiology.
- “Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin,” The American Journal of Pathology,
- “Chronic psychosocial stress and hypertension,” Current Hypertension Reports.
- “Hypertension induced morphological and physiological changes in cells of the arterial wall,” American Journal of Hypertension.
- “Superficial Thrombophlebitis,” National Library of Medicine.