Many patients have come for consultation with regards to prominent veins of the hands. Are these varicose veins? Should they be treated as other varicose veins are treated?

These are the questions, that a vein specialist is often asked.

Hand Veins

As we age the veins on the hand become more noticeable. That is so because, our skin turgor (tightness of the skin), reduces as part of the normal aging process. As a result these veins become more prominent, and pose a concern to many people. These veins are normal, and have potential for use perhaps for intravenous access, or for use to obtain blood for routine blood testing. Unlike the varicose veins of the lower extremities, then, these veins serve a useful purpose.

Varicose veins of the upper extremity are rare, and if they develop, an evaluation is necessary to determine their cause. Is there an anatomical abnormality that is causing a compression, which is not allowing for normal vein blood flow return to occur, causing a “back up”. Many possibilities exist that can cause this to occur, and these will be addressed in a future blog.

So if one treats these veins, you are potentially destroying something that has important potential uses. The underlying issue that needs to be addressed is to increase the skin turgor, perhaps, by adding “collagen fillers” as is being used to treat these issues on the face. Having said that, if you, and you’re vein specialist make the decision to treat these veins, the options of sclerotherapy, or endovenous laser ablation do exist as are being used to treat varicose veins of the lower extremities.

If you have any questions about the veins of the hands or arms, or any other veins, call New York’s leading vein specialist, Dr. Norman Chideckel today!