Why does one of the veins at the back of my left hand bulge, and only in one spot? The bulge is smaller or disappears when I raise my hand.

Why does one of the veins at the back of my left hand bulge, and only in one spot? The bulge is smaller or disappears when I raise my hand. No redness or discoloration; however, after doing research online, I feel a bit of pain. It might be because I am paranoid and I had a bad experience with an IV drip when I was a baby, so it is sensitive.

Answers from doctors (4)


Lafayette Regional Vein & Laser Center

Published on Jul 18, 2016

You may have had a benign vein injury with an IV, yet hand veins are not uncommonly bulbous and should empty when the hand is raised due to gravity. Warm temperatures of summer will allow the veins to become more dilated, and you will notice them to a greater extent. No treatment is generally necessary.

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Answered by Lafayette Regional Vein & Laser Center

You may have had a benign vein injury with an IV, yet hand veins are not uncommonly bulbous and should empty when the hand is raised due to gravity. Warm temperatures of summer will allow the veins to become more dilated, and you will notice them to a greater extent. No treatment is generally necessary.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jul 15, 2016

When you raise your hand, the blood drains faster and veins flatten out. There is no concern here with any serious issues. Many people have bulging veins in their hands, and often the areas where there are small valves in the veins, bulge more. You may also have had a small valve damaged when you had the IV. These can be removed for cosmetic reasons via a procedure called microphlebectomy, in which a small puncture is made under local anesthetic and that section of vein is removed.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

When you raise your hand, the blood drains faster and veins flatten out. There is no concern here with any serious issues. Many people have bulging veins in their hands, and often the areas where there are small valves in the veins, bulge more. You may also have had a small valve damaged when you had the IV. These can be removed for cosmetic reasons via a procedure called microphlebectomy, in which a small puncture is made under local anesthetic and that section of vein is removed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 15, 2016

It is a valve.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

It is a valve.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 15, 2016

Hand veins tend to bulge when the hands are placed below the level of the heart and decompress when raised above the heart. What you describe is a normal variant. If you are worried about this vein, then see a vein specialist.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Hand veins tend to bulge when the hands are placed below the level of the heart and decompress when raised above the heart. What you describe is a normal variant. If you are worried about this vein, then see a vein specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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