Why Do I Have Blue Veins on My Chest?

Have you recently noticed the development of blue veins on your chest or breasts? If so, you have probably found yourself struggling with a variety of emotions: fear, self-consciousness, concern, frustration. While all of these are natural and normal when noticing unexplained bodily changes, it is important to consider what may be causing the veiny breasts and whether or not there may be an underlying condition.

In most cases, blue veins are merely a cosmetic issue that requires no medical treatment. In fact, many will often fade entirely on their own. In some instances, however, you may notice that they either stay the same or increase in prominence. If that happens, it is always wise to consult either your physician or a vein specialist. Consulting with your doctor will ensure that you stay on top of any possible underlying issues, as well as give you peace of mind when you find yourself struggling with worry.

So, let’s take a look closer at what these veins are and the many possible reasons for their presence.

What Exactly Are Blue Veins?

Blue veins, also known as reticular veins, feeder veins, or intradermal varices, are large veins that appear as a bluish color under the skin. You are likely to see them more often in the lower extremities, such as behind the knees or on the thighs, but they can also affect areas of the upper torso as well. Both men and women can be affected by them, and they will be more noticeable on those individuals with lighter skin.

What Causes Blue Vein to Appear on My Chest and Breasts?

There are many possible causes of blue veins in the chest or breasts, most of which give no reason for worry. Some common causes of veiny breasts are:

• Genetics
• Rapid Weight Loss
• Regular Exercise
• Heavy Manual Labor
• Tight Undergarments
• Hormonal Changes
• Obesity
• Breast Enlargement
• Breast Feeding

Blue veins can also be the result of a severe underlying medical condition, such as liver disease. If you have other symptoms in addition to the blue veins – such as fatigue, fluid accumulation in your abdomen, jaundice, or nausea – consult your physician right away to detect possible damage to your liver.

What Treatment Options are Available?

Though blue veins are usually physically harmless, they can indeed hurt an individual’s quality of life due to their unsightly nature. Thankfully, there are several treatment options to consider, depending on the severity and what is causing them. If you have determined the cause to be a temporary situation (such as puberty or pregnancy), the best option would be to wait for them to clear on their own.

For any remaining cosmetic issues that are due to an ongoing cause, you can consider the following treatments:

• Apply Vitamin K cream to protect the skin and increase elasticity.
• Use makeup or tanning lotion to help diminish the appearance of the blue veins.
• Wear undergarments that are appropriately sized.
• Conduct laser therapy to cause blue veins to fade permanently.
• Undergo sclerotherapy, a method of collapsing the blue vein by injecting it with a sclerosing fluid. Spider vein treatment will lead to eventual fading.

If you have questions about blue veins or would like more information on any of the treatment methods listed above, contact a vein doctor near you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Susanne Woloson on 5-01-2020.

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