For many, visible veins in the arms and hands are undesirable and unsightly. It’s understandable that patients seek treatment to remove bulging veins in these parts of the body. There are effective treatments for this condition. However, in most cases, it’s normal and there’s no real disease to treat. Although we remove veins from the arms and hands, we recommend considering non-treatment because these veins are necessary for peripheral intravenous infusions and can be very important in an emergency.
Causes and Symptoms
There are several factors that can cause bulging veins on the surface of the arms or hands.
Body fat – One of the most common causes of bulging veins in the arms is low body fat. A low level of body fat can make the veins appear more prominent, as there is less fat surrounding the veins. People who are generally underweight or have thin hands may have veins that appear large.
Exercise – Another common cause of prominent veins in the hands and arms is exercise. Exercise brings much more blood to the muscles, and the veins return that blood to the heart. Athletes have larger veins than non-athletes, and that’s okay.
Genetics – Genetics can play an important role in determining whether you have varicose veins that include the arms and hands.
Age – As we age, the skin over our muscles and veins thins, making the veins in many parts of our body, including the arms and hands, more prominent.
Treatments for Bulging Veins in the Hands or Arms
Prominent veins in the hands and arms are usually cosmetic. Only sometimes is this condition caused by disease. Because the veins are normal, we rarely recommend cosmetic surgery; however, treatments are available.
Sclerotherapy – Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for veins in the arms and hands. This is a procedure in which a sclerosing solution is injected into the veins. The solution irritates the lining of the vein wall, causing it to close and eventually disappear. It is usually performed on smaller veins.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy – Phlebectomy refers to the removal of veins through small incisions, sometimes in an outpatient surgery setting. It is more invasive than sclerotherapy and usually leaves a small scar.
Vein Ablation – Radiofrequency ablation is not typically performed on arm veins, but in some cases it can be done.
Costs and Insurance Coverage for Hand and Arm Vein Treatment
Unfortunately, vein removal on the hands and arms is considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance. Typical sclerotherapy treatment costs the same as sclerotherapy on the legs. Your doctor can evaluate you to see if other treatments are necessary.
Is it necessary to treat arm and hand veins?
Enlarged arm veins are usually not pathological, and their removal is a cosmetic procedure. Furthermore, arm veins are very important because they are used for critical intravenous access during hospitalizations, for donating blood and performing laboratory tests, and for receiving critical fluids, antibiotics, chemotherapy, and other medications. They may also be necessary to create dialysis access in the arm, should you ever require dialysis for kidney failure.
