VTC Experts Answer Your Questions About Enlarged Veins in Hands

Your hands are central to almost everything you do, so they attract a lot of attention. You extend your hand when meeting someone new, and you use your hands to wave hello and goodbye. They are front-and-center during everyday activities like typing, gardening, and driving.

Unfortunately, as you age, the appearance of your hands can change. It is common to develop enlarged, protruding veins. As the veins become more prominent, many people begin to feel self-conscious about their appearance. However, they avoid seeking treatment due to concerns about undergoing invasive vein stripping surgery, as well as the cost associated with such a procedure.

The good news is that there are now advanced treatments for enlarged veins in hands. These cutting-edge solutions have a strong safety record, and they are both minimally invasive and highly-effective. No general anesthesia is necessary, which means no hospital stay is required. Your vein doctor in New York or vein doctor in New Jersey can perform the procedure on-site at a varicose vein clinic.

What Causes Enlarged Veins in Hands?

Growing older is the most common reason that veins bulge against the skin of your hands. In most cases, the issue isn’t with your veins at all. Instead, your veins become visible because skin thins and loses elasticity over time.

Changes in your skin are the most common cause of enlarged veins in hands, but that isn’t the only reason this condition develops. Individuals who spend a significant amount of time participating in strenuous exercise – particularly lifting weights – may also notice this issue.

When you exercise, the blood pressure in your arteries increases. This causes a number of changes in your circulation, which leads to swelling in the muscles. As muscles swell, they become firmer, and veins are pushed closer to the skin’s surface. Eventually, the veins in your hands may protrude. For some, the enlarged veins go down when the amount of strenuous exercise decreases. For others, the condition persists even after the exercise regimen is discontinued.

Spending a lot of time in warm temperatures may also lead to enlarged veins in hands, so this is a particular problem for those who live in hot climates year-round. Heat causes veins to expand, which changes how blood vessels function. In some cases, blood starts to pool, and veins begin to swell. Veins located close to the surface of the skin, like the ones in your hands, may protrude.

Most patients who develop enlarged veins in hands do not have vein disease. However, venous disorders can cause bulging veins, so it is important to visit a vein specialist to rule this possibility out. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a disease that affects millions of Americans every year, but it often goes undiagnosed. If left untreated, there can be serious side effects.

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Chronic Venous Insufficiency usually impacts vessels in the lower half of the body. However, it can cause protruding veins in the arms and hands under certain circumstances. This condition occurs when the tiny one-way valves inside the veins are damaged. The valves are designed to ensure blood flows towards the heart. When they become damaged, blood leaks backwards.

Leaky valves allow blood to pool in the veins, putting pressure on the vessel walls. They begin to swell, and if they are located close to the surface of the skin, they become quite prominent.  They may look like thick, knotted ropes, in which case they are referred to as varicose veins. Unhealthy veins may also appear as a net or web of red, purple, or blue lines just beneath the surface of the skin. These are called spider veins.

If Chronic Venous Insufficiency is the cause of your bulging hand veins, it is critical to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment as early as possible. Over time, symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency can become quite severe, and more serious health conditions can develop. If you are experiencing any signs of vein disease, see your vein doctor in NY or vein doctor in NJ right away.

What are the Symptoms of Vein Disease?

Enlarged veins in hands, varicose veins, and spider veins are the most visible symptoms of vein disease. Other signs include swelling, aching, tingling, or numbness in the affected area. When vein disease affects vessels in the lower half of the body, patients may experience severe leg cramps and/or Restless Leg Syndrome. Because both of these symptoms are most common at night, they can interfere with sleep.

Swollen veins often damage skin in the surrounding area. At first, the texture changes, and you might notice itchiness or a tight feeling. Eventually, the skin can become discolored, and its ability to heal is compromised. Minor cuts and scrapes turn into significant wounds that take a long time to close. This increases the risk of infection, which can lead to additional issues.

Can Enlarged Veins in Hands Be Treated?

Whether your bulging hand veins are caused by changes in your skin, strenuous exercise, heat, or vein disease, there are safe, effective treatments available. It is no longer necessary to see a vascular surgeon for an invasive vein stripping procedure. Instead, your vein doctor uses thermal energy, medication, or specialized sealant to permanently close the targeted vessels. Once they are closed, blood is automatically rerouted through other veins. The tissue from the protruding veins is reabsorbed by your body, dramatically reducing or eliminating unsightly enlarged veins in hands.

There are a number of cutting-edge treatment options available to you. These are the most common:

• Sсlеrоthеrару – Uses a medical injection to close varicose veins
• VenaSeal – Seals diseased veins with a medical adhesive
• Radiofrequency Ablаtіоn (RFA) – Relies on thermal energy to close unhealthy veins
• Endоvеnоuѕ Lаѕеr Ablаtіоn (EVLA) – Applies targeted laser energy to close unhealthy veins
• Clarivein – Uses an advanced tool to administer medication for closing varicose veins
• Varithena – Uses a medical foam to close varicose veins

All of these treatments can be performed by an experienced spider vein doctor or varicose vein doctor. The procedures are completed in under an hour, and because they are minimally invasive, no general anesthesia is required. That means you don’t have to worry about a hospital stay.

Recovery from advanced vein treatment is fast and virtually painless. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities right away. Learn more about getting the best vein treatment for your unique situation by contacting the Vein Treatment Clinic. You can schedule a consultation online, or you can reach the office by calling 855-248-4609.