Hand Veins/Arm Veins

Although it’s rare, bulging veins on your arms and hands may signal a serious underlying condition, such as a blood clot. Usually, this is the case when you notice sudden bulging veins in your hands or arms. More commonly, bulging veins happen over time and are due to a variety of normal circumstances like aging or genetics. Both serious and cosmetic bulging hand veins can leave you with pain and discomfort, as well as embarrassment. To relieve the pressure and give your arms and hands a smoother, younger appearance, rely on a vascular specialist at the Astra Vein Treatment Center in Brooklyn, NY and Bronx, NY. Call for an appointment.

Do I Have Bulging Veins in My Hands or Arms?

If you have veiny hands or veins popping out on your arms, you may be unhappy with the way they look. They may also cause you considerable discomfort. While veins popping out is more often than not a cosmetic concern, it may be a sign of serious vein conditions that, left untreated, could lead to more complications.

Bulging veins aren’t always unhealthy veins, but it’s a good idea to have them examined, just to be sure. At the Astra Vein Treatment Center in Brooklyn, NY and Bronx, NY, founder Dr. George Bolotin evaluates swollen veins to determine the underlying cause of their appearance. Once he’s identified the cause, he presents you with effective options for treatment.

What Symptoms Accompany Bulging Veins in Your Arms?

When veins in your arm appear to protrude, they may be varicose veins, which are veins that appear to be twisted and bulging right under the surface. While varicose veins are more common in legs, they sometimes occur in arms. In addition to visually protruding veins, symptoms of other vascular conditions that may cause swollen arm veins to include:

• Red, inflamed skin around the vein
• Arm pain or tenderness
• Arm swelling, which may happen suddenly

These symptoms may indicate a blood clot in a vein. If the blood clot is right under the skin, it’s called superficial thrombophlebitis. A clot in deep veins, far below the surface of the skin, is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This type of clot can be very dangerous because it can travel to your lungs and block one of the pulmonary arteries there, a condition known as a pulmonary embolism. This is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate emergency treatment.

Why Do I Get Bulging Veins in My Hands?

An injury to the vein can cause it to bulge. Previous surgery, where you needed an IV inserted into your hand can cause a bulging vein too. The veins in your hand also may appear bulging for reasons that don’t indicate illness. Examples of the more common reasons for veiny hands include:

• Low body fat. People who are underweight or have very low body fat have veins that may appear more prominent. Fat adds more depth to your skin and makes your veins less visible.
• Aging. As you age, your skin becomes thinner and less elastic. The skin on the backs of your hands becomes papery thin with age. Additionally, weakened valves in veins can cause blood to pool, making them bulge.
• Genetics. If other members of your family have prominent hand veins, large veins may run in your family.

If the bulging veins in your hands are caused by one of these reasons, they’re not likely dangerous to your health. But sudden bulging veins in your hands could be a symptom of a serious condition, such as a blood clot or peripheral vascular disease. They may have been brought on by an injury or untreated vein disorder.

What Are Some Treatment Options for Bulging Veins?

Bulging veins can pop up anywhere on your body. The treatment options for your bulging veins depend on what’s causing them. At the Astra Vein Treatment Center in Brooklyn and Bronx, you’re provided with a number of vein treatments, which may include:

• Sclerotherapy for spider veins
• Sclerotherapy for varicose veins
• Ambulatory phlebectomy
• Endovenous laser ablation
• Endovenous radiofrequency ablation

If bulging veins aren’t caused by serious medical conditions, vein treatments are usually done on an outpatient basis. There’s little or no downtime. Serious vein conditions may require a round of medication or even a short hospital stay, but that’s rare.

When Should I See a Doctor about Swollen or Bulging Veins?

Enlarged veins can appear anywhere on your body. Whenever veins in your hands, arms, legs or feet are bulging more than usual, monitor them to see if they don’t disappear within a few days. If the veins on your extremities suddenly swell or cause you pain, have them evaluated by an expert at a vein clinic in Brooklyn and Bronx. Unexplained swelling in your leg or foot also should be brought to the attention of your vein doctor.

In Brooklyn and Bronx, Dr. Bolotin of the Astra Vein Treatment Center offers thorough diagnosis and treatment of vein conditions, including:

• Varicose veins
• Smaller spider veins
• Venous insufficiency
• DVT

He also offers extensive fibroid treatment and peripheral artery disease treatment. Contact your Brooklyn or Bronx vein center today to find the best way to treat bulging hand veins or arm veins.