What does it mean if my veins are bulging?
If you have noticed bulging veins it could cause worry and maybe even discomfort. There could many causes for bulging veins and the best place to start is a consultation with a vascular surgeon who will be able to determine a suitable treatment plan.
What are bulging veins?
Bulging veins are large visible veins that are close to the surface of the skin. They often look like lumps and may appear twisted. The colour of bulging veins varies but they are usually blue or purple in colour. Bulging veins are most common on the legs but they can appear anywhere.
What causes bulging veins?
The most common cause of bulging veins is varicose veins.
Varicose veins occur when the walls of the veins become weak. When veins are weak, this can cause the valves within the veins to fail to cause blood to pool within the vein. The excess blood sitting in the vein results in swelling and a bulging appearance.
The best way to confirm if varicose veins are the cause of your bulging veins is to have a duplex ultrasound scan. All consultations at The Private Clinic with our expert vascular surgeons include a free ultrasound scan with immediate results. Following this, your surgeon will be able to determine the best and most suitable method of treatment.
- Age – As we age, our skin becomes thinner causing veins to become more noticeable under the skin.
- Exercise – Taking part in exercise can increase blood flow causing more prominent veins, weight lifting, in particular, can cause bulging veins in the hands or arms.
- Fat Loss – If you have a low percentage of body fat then this can cause your veins to become more visible, especially in your hands and arms.
How do you fix bulging veins?
If your bulging veins are caused by varicose veins, then there are a variety of treatments to help reduce their appearance.
For most cases of bulging varicose veins, a combination of EVLA or RFA with a phlebectomy procedure may be recommended.
Endovenous ablation (EVLA) is effective at treating the deeper venous reflux cause of varicose veins whereas a phlebectomy procedure is highly successful at tackling the larger physical bulging veins.
- Phlebectomy – An ambulatory phlebectomy is often used to treat troublesome large bulging veins. Performed under local anaesthetic with micro incisions, a phlebectomy hook is used to remove the bulging varicose veins from the body.
- EVLA – Endovenous laser ablation uses laser heat energy to collapse and destroy varicose veins. It is one of NICE’s gold-standard vein removal treatments with a 95% success rate. Find out more about EVLA here.
- RFA – Radiofrequency is another gold standard varicose vein removal treatment that instead uses radiofrequency thermal heat energy to shrink and close off the affected varicose veins. Find out more about RFA here.
- Foam Sclerotherapy – Foam sclerotherapy involves injecting a foam sclerosing agent which quickly seals off and disperses varicose veins with minimal pain and recovery time. Find out more about Foam Sclerotherapy here.
- VenaSeal – VenaSeal uses advanced medical-grade glue to seal damaged varicose veins and break them down. Find out more about VenaSeal here.
Bulging vein treatment result before and after photos
See more varicose vein before and after results
Bulging veins on hands
Bulging veins can appear anywhere on the body. Most commonly they are seen on the legs, but another common place is on the hands.
At The Private Clinic, we have Consultant Vascular Surgeon Mr. Constantinos Kyriakides, who has pioneered using EVLA as a treatment for the hands and he is one of very few surgeons in Europe trained in this revolutionary technique.
Find out more about treating veins on the hands.
Vascular Surgeons at The Private Clinic
- Mr Constantinos Kyriakides, MD, FRCS(Gen). GMC 3275436
- Mr Dynesh Rittoo, MBChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(Gen Surg). GMC 3556456
- Mr Charles Ranaboldo, BM, FRCS, MS. GMC Number: 2939195
- Mr Tahir Hussain, MBBS,MS, FRCS. GMC Number: 3242669
- Mr Rajiv Pathak, MBBS, MS, FRCS, FRCS(Gen). GMC Number: 4585309
- Mr Ferdinand Serracino-Inglott, MD, FRCSI, FRCS(Gen), DIC MSc. GMC Number: 5206200
Varicose Vein Removal at The Private Clinic
At The Private Clinic, we have been offering the most advanced, minimally invasive vein treatments for over 40 years, and work with highly experienced vascular surgeons.
- Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
- We have carried out over 7,000 procedures in treating Veins.
- No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
- We offer the least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
- The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings show that the success rate after five years for EVLA is 95.4%.
- A consultation with one of our Consultant Vascular Surgeons costs £200, including a free ultrasound scan of your legs (usually priced between £350 and £450 at most clinics and private hospitals).
- We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidence whilst avoiding health issues.
- We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
- Treatment is performed in under an hour; you can go home shortly after being treated.
- We have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, TLC’s My Naked Secret and featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
- View our varicose vein before and after results photo gallery.
- Read our extensive varicose vein FAQs.
- Hear from previous patients in our varicose vein patient stories.
- Find out more information in our varicose vein blogs.
The Private Clinic has varicose vein clinics across the UK including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Northampton and Buckinghamshire.
To find out more or to book a veins consultation with our experts call 0333 920 2471 or visit our online varicose veins contact page on our website.
