Whether it is a skinned knee, a pierced ear or a small cut, we all get to see a little bit of our blood from time to time. And no matter who you are, it's red. But, the veins that carry our blood aren't red, they're blue.
Reasons That Veins Are Blue
The primary reason veins are blue is the way wavelengths of light hit the skin. White light can carry colors and waves with varying lengths. Red has the ability to travel the farthest. Violet waves are the shortest, and all the other colors fall somewhere in between.
There is no issue with your veins being green versus being blue. The color of your veins on the surface is largely due to the undertone of your skin as well as the amount of body fat you have. What you do need to be concerned about is if it seems like your blue veins are bulging or if they become painful in any way.
The veins themselves are not blue, but are mostly colorless. It is the blood in the veins that gives them color. Furthermore, the blood in human veins is also not blue. Blood is always red.
Veins appear blue because blue light is reflected back to our eyes. This may seem odd, since veins contain deep, dark red blood. Scientists believe there are several factors that lead to our seeing veins as blue rather than red. Blue light does not penetrate human tissue as deeply as red light does.
Dark-colored or blue veins are normal and healthy, although it can be a bit strange seeing sudden prominent blue veins pop up on your skin. Veins can become more visible due to various reasons, including decreased body fat, aging, genetics, physical activity, pregnancy, sun exposure, and certain medical conditions.
Veins appear blue because blue light is reflected back to our eyes. ... Blue light does not penetrate human tissue as deeply as red light does.
Bulging veins can occur due to: Temporarily rising blood pressure and/or body temperature. When you're exercising or working with your hands, blood flow in the area increases. Veins also swell in warmer conditions, as the body sends blood toward the surface of the skin to cool down.
The sudden appearance of prominent blue veins accompanied by skin discoloration or non-healing leg wounds can indicate Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). If you notice these symptoms, we recommend seeking care immediately, as this can become a medical emergency.
There are several factors that can cause blue veins to be more visible including age, genetics, low body fat, hot weather, and exercise. Some medical conditions such as superficial thrombophlebitis and varicose veins can also cause the veins to appear more prominent.
It is a common myth that veins are blue because they carry deoxygenated blood. Blood in the human body is red regardless of how oxygen-rich it is, but the shade of red may vary. The level or amount of oxygen in the blood determines the hue of red.
Veins themselves are typically fairly colorless. So don't panic if your veins look a little bit blue, that's not uncommon. If however, your veins or arteries suddenly begin bulging or turning a dark color, those may be warning signs of underlying health conditions.
Maybe you've heard that blood is blue in our veins because when headed back to the lungs, it lacks oxygen. But this is wrong; human blood is never blue. The bluish color of veins is only an optical illusion.
Visible veins are an underlying cause of venous insufficiency or vein disease. Green veins on your hands or legs are superficial veins located near the surface of your skin. Because green veins have a shorter wavelength (wavelengths are part of the electromagnetic spectrum), the veins will appear green instead of red.
While green veins aren't in itself unusual, it's a good indicator of what your blood vessels are doing. These are an indicator of impaired blood flow in the legs and venous insufficiency and can be a warning flag for more serious underlying issues.
If you have pale skin it's not uncommon to see blue veins traveling across your arms, neck, chest and legs. In fact, visible veins that show through the skin's surface are just a part of life. But if you have big, blue, bulging veins you have varicose veins—and a red flag for vein health.
Dehydration. On the other hand, if you find yourself noticing your veins bulging without having done any strenuous activity beforehand, then it could be a sign of dehydration. Dehydration thickens the blood because there is not enough liquid in it.
This bulging is neither good nor bad but simply a result of normal physiological mechanisms that result from the rise in arterial blood pressure during exertion.
You're not alone in wondering what your bulging veins mean. This symptom is very common, and usually, it's not a cause for alarm. About 1 in 3 adults have varicose veins, which is a common cause of prominent veins. But sometimes bulging veins can be a sign of a serious health problem, like a blood clot.
Human blood is red because hemoglobin, which is carried in the blood and functions to transport oxygen, is iron-rich and red in color.
Spider veins, which may surround varicose veins, are smaller red or purple lines that appear close to your skin's surface. Although they can be unsightly and uncomfortable, varicose veins aren't dangerous for most people. In some cases, severe varicose veins can lead to serious health problems, such as blood clots.
The color of your veins, or their visibility at all, is not necessarily indicative of greater health concerns such as varicose veins or venous insufficiency. Your veins are visible because of the color of the light your blood and skin reflect back to your eye.
The blood going out to your body in the arteries is full of oxygen, which makes the blood bright red. But the blood coming back from your body in the veins is darker because your body parts have used up the oxygen in the blood. That's why veins look purple or blue.