Why Are My Veins So Visible?

This is primarily a matter of genetics and there's not much you can do about it. If your skin is particularly pale, your veins are more likely to show through the skin; obviously darker skin would sort of "mask" the veins.

As we get older, our skin begins to thin. This process usually starts around middle age. Of course, as the skin thins, the veins are liable to become more pronounced on your body parts.

Basically, fat can hide those veins. When you lose weight, your veins might begin to show; if you have put on muscle, the muscles could push the veins to the surface too.

Certain prescription drugs, like steroids, cause thinning of the skin and will reveal the veins under the skin.

When you exercise, your body needs more oxygen, so blood flow increases to, for instance, your arms; this will make the veins bulge.

The body needs more blood, and your heart rate increases, during pregnancy, due to the demands of carrying the baby. This can cause veins to be more pronounced.

The position you are in, standing or lying down, causes blood to flow more into certain areas of the body and make the veins stand out. Pressure too can make veins stand out, like if you laugh very hard or strain to lift something.

Basically, when blood cannot flow normally, it can get stuck in certain areas, typically low in the legs. This creates varicose veins, which are veins in the legs that are enlarged, swollen and distorted.

A much more serious possible cause for visible veins is vascular disease, such as deep vein thombosis and peripheral vascular disease. These conditions occur when there are malfunctions in the blood and lymph vessels which obstructs blood flow.

Causes of vascular disease include:

• Injury to blood vessels
• Age
• Disease, such as diabetes or hypertension
• Genetics
• Inactivity
• Smoking

Symptoms of vascular disease include:

• Heavy feeling in limbs
• Changes, such as change in color, to skin
• Wounds that won't heal
• Muscle weakness
• Pain and reduced mobility
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

So, as you can see, causes of visible veins are rather diverse and most causes are not serious. However, sometimes prominent veins can be caused by a more serious condition and it's always advisable to consult a physician.