Bulgy hand veins are physically evident conditions characterised by purple, blue and sometimes green prominent hand veins. While this is sometimes a casual appearance for some people, apparent veiny hands could indicate an underlying health issue. Hand veins are normal, but when they become elevated or bulging, some people consider the condition a cosmetic concern with or without an underlying problem.
Read on to learn the causes and effective treatment for bulgy hand veins.
What are bulging veins?
Bulging veins are apparent and elevated veins located peripherally and close to the skin’s surface. These veins appear green, blue or purplish based on skin colour and could be observed on the hands, arms and legs. When surveyed, the veins are twisted and are palpable to the touch. In a few people, veiny arms could signify the presence of an underlying health issue, but bulgy hand veins are expected in the majority. However, the appearance leaves a feeling of uneasiness and discomfort.
Causes of bulgy hand veins
- Age
Increased ageing reduces the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Elastin and collagen production and supply have dwindled over the years, and the skin’s integrity isn’t as it once was. As a result of loss in elasticity and firmness, the superficial veins become more apparent to see through the skin.
Another thing to consider with age is how weak the blood vessel valves become. Potentially, blood backflows because the valves aren’t solid and effective enough to close and deliver a one-way blood current or movement. This can result in a bulging vein condition known as varicose veins. Coupling thinner and less elastic skin with the fact that older people are more susceptible to varicose veins, age is an important cause of veiny hands or bulging hand veins.
- Varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, protruding veins that appear bluish or purplish. Varicose veins occur due to malfunctioning of the valve in the blood vessels. As such, blood may not flow properly.
Most people with this condition show visible veins from beneath the skin of the legs, but in some situations, varicose veins also develop on the arms or hands. While varicose veins may not be a significant problem, they can cause discomfort. Varicose veins could also indicate underlying circulatory or cardiovascular system issues. Severe varicose veins, for instance, could be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency.
- Sex and hormones
Hormones are chemicals produced by and in the body into circulation. Changes in hormonal levels may result from pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome or menopause.
The female gender and some physiological hormonal changes in their body are other contributing factors to getting veiny hands. Females are more likely to be afflicted by varicose veins than their male counterparts. Research and a source from the national library of medicine state that the female hormones’ vascular actions suggest that they relax the veins’ walls. Resultantly, the valves become more prone to leaking, causing a backflow and pooling of blood which enlarges the veins of the arms.
- Exercise
Exercises are another cause of bulgy hand veins. During exercise, the blood pressure increases, causing the blood vessels to push up against the skin. This action makes the hand veins more observable. When the exercise is done, and the blood pressure drops, the veins become less obvious from underneath the skin. However, consistently exercising increases both muscle mass and blood pressure.
As a result, the muscle tissues grow more significant, the veins become more prominent, and the overall appearance is usually long-lasting. Weight lifting is an excellent example of intense exercise that could cause prominent and permanent hand veins.
- Low body fat
Fats do cover the veins and make them less apparent from the outside. As such, low fat may expose the veins. Some people are naturally skinny. Low body fat can also be a result of exercising and dieting. When the body fat is below the ideal percentage, the veins will become more apparent. As such, if you are not naturally skinny, there should be a blend between wanting an ideal body size and maintaining the required body fat percentage.
- Superficial thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis
Superficial thrombophlebitis means inflammation and swelling of a vein directly below the surface of the skin due to a blood clot. Blood clots may occur due to vein injury, getting an injection or drip through the vein or natural susceptibility to blood clots. Superficial thrombophlebitis may lead to swollen or bulging veins due to the blood clot.
Deep vein thrombosis on the other hand occurs due to blood clots in the deeper veins. This is more serious than the former because the blood clot may bust and flow to the lungs. This may lead to another serious condition called pulmonary embolism.
- Genetics
As with most other conditions like the marionette lines, If predecessors before you in your family have veiny hands or prominent hand veins, your propensity for the condition increases. So observe and check with some older family members to see if they’ve got prominent hand veins.
- Hot weather
During warm or hot weather conditions, the body sends more blood to the peripherally located veins to cool itself off. This increased flow and transfer could affect the vein’s normal functioning as more blood is pumped to the hands. The increased blood pressure and volume can lead to the enlargement of the hand veins. Conversely, an individual’s veins may become less visible when cold.
- Underlying health condition
Sometimes, bulging veins may be a symptom of other underlying conditions such as vasculitis and chronic venous insufficiency. Vasculitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the blood vessel. It is a serious condition that may lead to tissue and organ damage. Vasculitis can lead to weakness and bulging of blood vessels such as veins, arteries and capillaries.
Treatment of bulgy hand veins
There are several treatments for predominant hand veins. Here are some of them.
- Hands Rejuvenation treatment
Hand rejuvenation refers to various treatment techniques used to treat signs of ageing, specifically on the hands. Hand rejuvenation can address bulgy hand veins and wrinkles leaving the hands with a more youthful look.
One of the best procedures for hand rejuvenation is Profhilo. Profhilo is an injectable anti-ageing serum made from hyaluronic acid and free of chemical cross-linking agents. Profhilo remedies bulging veins on the hand by actively stimulating and encouraging collagen and elastin production within the body. This is why it’s also called a “bio-revitalise” or a “bio-rejuvenator”.
Hyaluronic acid, which Profhilo is made from, is a naturally occurring substance produced organically in the body and found in the skin, joints and connective tissue. This natural substance keeps the skin moisturised while aiding collagen production. During ageing, hyaluronic acid diminishes due to slow production, like most other naturally occurring substances in the body.
The skin’s integrity declines as it thins out, and the fat deposits behind the hands reduce. The overall diminished elasticity of the skin, along with the reduced volume of hyaluronic acid, results in translucent skin that becomes wrinkled and develops age spots. This is where this treatment made from hyaluronic acid comes in.
The key to Profhilo’s popularity is that it’s got a unique structure and a proper balance of scientific properties. The product flows efficiently and effectively through the subcutaneous tissue and the dermis, thanks to the high cohesivity. This permeation allows for an instant boost in skin hydration in a way that older and traditional hyaluronic acid infusions or fillers can’t. The consistency and ease of smooth and even distribution of this product have made it effective on the hand, chest, and neck.
Profhilo is injected at multiple points into the hand to spread uniformly under the skin within a few hours. You might get some bruises from the needles after injection, but they disappear after a day or two. It’s advisable and best to stay off any alcohol the day before the treatment to minimise the risk of bruising.
Dr Nina Bal of the facial sculpting clinic is a renowned cosmetic expert who is well known for her popular hand rejuvenation treatments. You can expect treatment procedures tailored to restore your skin’s firmness, hydration and healthy texture. Book a consultation with Dr Nina for the best possible hand rejuvenation treatments.
- Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is another effective treatment for bulky veins and varicose veins. This treatment method requires injecting a chemical solution into targeted bulgy hand veins. The goal is to scar these vessels and cause them to close. When these veins are closed blood will be redirected through healthier veins. The closed veins will eventually fade after they have been reabsorbed into the local tissues. You can see the results of sclerotherapy after some weeks and sometimes it may take up to a month to see the full result.
- Endovenous ablation therapy
Endogenous ablation therapy often called laser therapy, this treatment is ideal for smaller veins. The procedure involves using amplified light or radio waves to close bulging veins. Your doctor will insert a needle and wire into the bulging veins. Energy will be sent through the vein with a catheter and some other tools to destroy the tissues in the veins. You may wear high protection and pain-numbing drugs to avoid discomfort during the procedure.
This technique is an invasive outpatient procedure that involves the removal of targeted bulgy veins through slight incisions. The doctor will prescribe a local anaesthetic for your hand to prevent pain during the procedure.
- Vein stripping and ligation
Vein stripping involves closing off the supplying vein that connects to the targeted bulgy hand veins. The doctor will put you under general anaesthesia to ease the pain while an incision is made to tie off the vein and remove it.
How do you reduce bulging veins in your hand naturally?
If you ever notice that blue veins in your hands suddenly pop up one day and appear more prominent than usual, the following are ways to reduce veins in the hands naturally.
- Consume fibre-rich foods
Fibre-rich foods are a great way to build healthy veins. Fibre-rich foods improve cholesterol levels, prevent a build-up of plaques, and clotting. You’re less likely to have bulgy hand veins if they’re healthy and retain their elasticity well enough. Examples of fibre-rich foods include whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
- Drink lots of water, consume vitamins and incorporate supplements
During ageing, the body’s ability to process and efficiently absorb nutrients reduce. Incorporate a daily multivitamin supplement into your food, especially for adults over seventy. Vitamin D improves blood pressure, and vitamin C improves blood circulation. Water keeps the body hydrated, prevents clotting, and dilutes the blood. Hydration is important and water is the single most important nutrient.
- Workout regularly
Low-impact exercises like walking, jogging, and swimming can help regulate proper blood circulation while strengthening the veins.
- Avoid Smoking
Smoking thickens the viscosity of the blood and can cause a build-up of plaques in the arteries. The idea is clear up all vessels and keeps them in top condition for optimal performance. There are a lot of young smokers presently, so it’s important to note that this factor could be what causes veins to be more visible in the hands at a young age.
Conclusion
Hand veins are mostly taken as a cosmetic inconvenience because of their appearance. The condition is harmless for the most part. However, if you start to feel any sudden bulging veins in the hands with pain, consult a doctor to know if you have any underlying health issues.
