After a day in the sun, you might notice that you have tiny, red facial veins visible on your cheeks and nose. Or, after a long run or another strenuous workout, you notice that the veins on your legs and feet are more prominent than usual. Visible veins can make you feel self-conscious, but they aren’t always a cause for concern and don’t always need to be treated by a doctor.
Here’s what to know about visible veins, including when it’s worth seeking medical attention.
What Causes Visible Veins?
The cause of visible veins can vary depending on location and several other factors. For example, some people develop bulging veins in their arms or legs during a workout. As Scientific American explains, veins tend to pop out or “bulge” during exercise because of something called filtration, which causes the muscles to harden, pushing the veins out.
Spider veins are another example of visible veins. They include facial veins as well as veins on the legs that are near the surface of the skin and that look like tiny red or blue spider webs. On the face, spider veins can be caused by conditions such as rosacea or acne, as well as by sun exposure or wind burn.
Other things that can cause visible veins include being overweight, hormone fluctuations or standing or sitting in one position for an extended period.
When to See A Doctor About Visible Veins
Not all types of visible veins are a cause for concern. For example, the bulging veins associated with exercise aren’t necessarily a sign of poor health or a sign of good health. They’re just part of the body’s natural response to an increase in blood flow and pressure.
But there are instances when visible veins can be a cause for concern. For example, facial veins might make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. An in-office treatment with a laser or radio-frequency might be the best way to treat the veins and help them fade from view. Treating an underlying condition, such as acne or rosacea, might also help improve the appearance of the veins.
Varicose veins, which are bulging, rope-like veins that often develop on the legs, aren’t always a cause for concern. But they can make you feel self-conscious. In some instances, they can also cause significant pain and discomfort. If your varicose veins are painful or itchy or if they bleed easily, it’s worth seeing a doctor for treatment. You might also consider seeing a doctor about your visible veins if you’ve tried self-care measures at home, such as wearing compression stockings, losing weight or staying out of the sun, and you haven’t seen any improvement or your veins have gotten worse.
If you are worried about visible veins, call 856-309-8346 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Charles Dietzek at the Vein & Vascular Institute in New Jersey today.