Our blood moves throughout the body via blood vessels. Sometimes they’ll appear as bulging or popping veins in the hands and feet.
These swollen veins can look weird and show off our age. The good news is most bulging veins aren’t really a sign of poor health. But there are instances where they may arise from an underlying disease.
Either way, we’ll go over what you need to know about bulging veins.
What Causes Bulging Veins in the Hands and Feet?
- Aging: As we age, our skin gets thinner and less elastic, making our blood vessels more visible. It’s all a normal process of getting older.
- Genetics: Having family members with bulging veins increases your chances of getting them.
- Hot Weather: Heat can make veins more prominent and enlarged. They’ll work harder and become more visible.
- Hormone Imbalance: Pregnancy or menopause can lead to a hormone imbalance. One of the symptoms is bulging veins. Varicose veins or bulging Pregnancy may also put pressure on veins, making it harder for blood flow to get back to the heart.
- Exercise: Heavy lifting for long periods of time can make the blood flow increase. The muscles harden, causing more visible blood vessels. Over-stretching can also play a role in making veins pop out.
- Blood Clots: Also known as thrombophlebitis, this condition can cause swollen veins that feel tough.
- Body Fat Loss: Our skin has a layer of fat that serves as an insulator. When you lose weight, that layer thins, and can makes veins more visible.
- Health Conditions: Underlying heart problems can cause a chronic increase in blood pressure. This weakens the veins and can cause popping.
Are Bulging Veins the Same as Varicose Veins?
Can Bulging Veins Go Away?
Usually, bulging veins will go away on their own, especially from exercise or hot weather. If popping veins run in your family or come from underlying conditions, then you may need treatment to help them go away. That may include:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can help decrease the swelling of bulging veins.
- Sclerotherapy injects a chemical solution into targeted veins and makes them close.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy is the removal of the targeted veins via small incisions. While you’re under general anesthesia, your doctor will make an incision, tie off the vein, and remove it. The blood that used to run in the vein is automatically shifted and the closed vein eventually fades away.
Cosmetic or Medical, Bulging Veins Can be Fixed
Bulging hand and foot veins are not a serious medical issue for the majority of people. But if you’re concerned that your popping veins are something serious — or you don’t like the way they look — make an appointment with a vein doctor.
If there’s a serious problem, they can recommend treatment. If you want them removed for cosmetic purposes, your doctor will make a suggestion for the best procedure. In the unlikely event, your bulging hand and feet veins are a sign of a more serious condition, your doctor will offer specific medical treatment.
