# why do the veins in my feet stick out?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-my-feet-stick-out/229221>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 14, 2004, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-my-feet-stick-out/229221 "2004-02-14T16:05:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![seaworthy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@seaworthy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seaworthy)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-my-feet-stick-out/229221/1 "2004-02-14T16:05:01Z")

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Only recently I’ve noticed that the veins in my feet stick out occasionally. This never used to happen so I’m not just a person with veiny feet. But I want to know, why do they do that? It doesn’t happen all the time, but I haven’t bothered to try and figure out a pattern. And, more importantly, how can I make it stop? I think it’s really gross and don’t wish for it to continue.

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**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-my-feet-stick-out/229221/2 "2004-02-14T17:45:45Z")

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It’s easier for veins to sick out in places like the tops of feet that don’t have much of a fat layer. As you age, your skin things making this even easier. In addition, blood likes to pool in the lower extremities. So a lot of what you are worrying about may be natural.

But excessive pooling of blood in the feet is Not A Good Thing. Your doctor would be the best judge of whether you have a real problem or not.

As for everyday non-doctor advice about circulation and feet: My motto is “Walk or die.” Vigorous everyday walking can make all the difference between a long active life and a short miserable one. Get out there and walk. Keep walking.

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**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-my-feet-stick-out/229221/3 "2004-02-14T17:47:00Z")

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Umm, make that “skin thins”.

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**Author:** ![drhess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@drhess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drhess)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-my-feet-stick-out/229221/4 "2004-02-14T18:23:08Z")

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> [@ftg](#):
>
> As for everyday non-doctor advice about circulation and feet: My motto is “Walk or die.” Vigorous everyday walking can make all the difference between a long active life and a short miserable one. Get out there and walk. Keep walking.

If sitting for long periods, wiggle your toes, it helps circulation. I keep my feet up on the desk when ever I can. It was a habit I got into when I broke my foot, and I cann’t get out of it.