Veins growing bigger and more visible is a common phenomenon that happens at some point in most people’s lives. But that doesn’t mean that you have to accept them as part of your everyday life.
Let’s discuss the causes behind veiny feet, when it’s necessary to see a professional, and what treatments are available to not only ease any pain you are experiencing but to make your bulging veins disappear, as well.
There are a variety of causes for veiny feet. Some of them happen naturally, while others can be attributed to underlying conditions.
As you age, your skin tends to become thinner and less elastic. This makes it easier to see your veins through your skin.
Hormonal changes can cause the veins in your feet to bulge and become more visible. This is particularly common during pregnancy.
Increased blood pressure in your veins stretches them out longer and wider. While there is normally a one-way valve that allows blood to return to your heart, when they’re stretched, the blood becomes backed up and bulges out the veins further. This makes them much more visible.
Venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. This causes blood and other fluids to accumulate in your feet, which results in the veins in your feet swelling, bulging, and thickening. If left untreated, they can turn into varicose veins.
Spider veins occur when the small, one-way valves inside the veins weaken. When these valves are weak or damaged, blood flows backward and accumulates in your veins.
Like spider veins, varicose veins are a result of weakened vein valves and walls. The appearance of these veins become swollen and twisted, lying just under the skin.
A blood clot can cause sudden bulging in the veins on your feet. Because they obstruct the flow of blood in a vein, they eventually cause excess blood to pool in your feet, which stretches the veins out.
Some bulging veins on our feet are harmless and can be treated strictly for aesthetic reasons. Others, however, can be caused by more serious conditions that need to immediately be addressed by a professional.
If you experience any of the following systems, it is a good idea to see a professional to determine if you are experiencing a more serious, underlying condition.
There are a variety of things that you can do at home to not only ease the symptoms of your veiny feet but also prevent them in the future.
Sclerotherapy treats veins that are enlarged or twisted, as well as spider veins. It involves using a needle to put a solution into the vein that causes the vein to constrict and close. This forces the blood through healthier veins, which leaves the unused, collapsed veins to fade.
This process tends to take a few weeks for the veins to fade, though they may not disappear entirely. Full results can take months and multiple sclerotherapy treatments.
Laser vein ablation is a minimally invasive treatment in which a catheter and laser fiber are inserted into the larger varicose veins (enlarged and twisted veins). The area is quickly numbed with local anesthesia.
These leaky malfunctioning veins are then closed off with heat energy from the laser. The laser and catheter are removed and the treated vein is sealed and will eventually be reabsorbed by the body.
If you have bulging veins in your feet and want to get rid of them for aesthetic reasons, or if you think you may have an underlying condition that’s causing them, Gilvydis Vein Clinic is here to help. Our knowledgeable, trusted team is dedicated to uncovering the root cause behind your symptoms, as well as treating them to reduce or eliminate your discomfort.
Your health and happiness are our number one priority. You can trust that you will receive the very best care available at Gilvydis Vein Clinic.
Call us today at (815) 827-1098 or schedule your free screening on our website.
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Rimas Gilvydis, M.D, is the co-founder of Northern Illinois Vein Clinic (NIVC) in Rockford, Illinois, and the founder of Gilvydis Vein Clinic (GVC) in Naperville, Sycamore, and Geneva, Illinois. A board-certified interventionalist and diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine, Dr. Gilvydis has been treating varicose veins with minimally invasive techniques since they were first introduced.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.