Why can I see all the veins in my chest?

Have you recently lost a bit of weight @deni?

Do you smoke?

You’ve most likely noticed your veins due to pale winter skin. Yes, I can see mine too. My skin is also pale, and thin, so I can really see veins in winter.

@SpatzieLover I’ve lost maybe a couple pounds in the past week or two, but that’s all. I don’t smoke cigarettes. But I just find it odd that I couldn’t see them before. And, as far as white people go, I’m really not pale at all. I don’t really get “pale”, due to having “olive” skin, whatever the hell that means. But its just weird, they were really POPPING out today in the mirror. I don’t mean that literally.

I’m a pale olive shade, too.

Were you looking after you had just taken a warm shower or after a bit of a workout? Maybe your blood pressure was raised a bit.

You are clearly a vampire and in need of a good feeding.

@SpatzieLover Nope. Middle of the day. Didn’t shower or exercise. (lol i sound like a slug)

Just last week I could not believe how every vein in my arms, the underside, were so obvious. I have always had very pale thin skin, but I was not happy at all at what I saw, it seemed suddenly to be more extreme. I also wondered why?

You sound as if you’re finding this extremely problematic.

On the off chance that it might be helpful, I’ll throw in a bit of perspective from the other side of the fence (you know, the side where the grass always looks greener :)

I would trade places with you in a nanosecond. Really.

Why do I say that? Because the only veins visible are one or two on the back of my hands. That’s it. None in my arms, chest, legs, neck nor anywhere else.

If you were in my shoes, everytime a medical procedure involving veins were necessary (blood draw, IV fluids, central line etc. etc.) you would be hoping and praying that the person doing the procedure REALLY REALLY was the top notch person in the place with the art and skill to find the vein every single time. Otherwise you’re in for more gouging around trying to find it after missing or it collapsing, starting all over again multiple times, etc and the just plain misery of dealing with small hidden and difficult veins.

It’s no picnic. What you’re dealing with is primarily a cosmetic issue. Believe me, I would most gladly trade places with you. If I had a magic wand it would have been done already.

You’d be looking in a mirror thrilled with it. But the next time you had to have any medical procedure involving those hidden veins of yours, you would gladly trade back.

Things could be a whole lot worse than slightly unslightly looking prominent veins Trust me on that :)

Have you had your blood pressure checked lately? Probably not it but something to keep in mind.

@Buttonstc I actually am not the least bit concerned, I feel like this has happened once or twice before, and I know nothing is wrong because I feel great, but it is shocking to look in the mirror and BOOM tons of veins suddenly visible. Caught me off guard, that was all, and I had no idea why it could be. Aside from paleness. But that seems like it might gradually happen overtime, not all of a sudden one day. And yes, I am very fortunate to have prominent veins for bloodwork and stuff, the nurses at Red Cross always compliment me. :)

@deni

Sorry. I guess I misinterpreted :)

The nurses at Red Cross never even see my face. Ever.

That grass looks so much greener on YOUR side of the fence. Color me envious.