Treatment for superficial phlebitissuperficial phlebitis Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory condition of the veins due to a blood clot just below the surface of the skin. It usually occurs in the legs, but it can occasionally occur in the arms and neck. Anyone can develop superficial thrombophlebitis, but females are affected more than males. › superficial-thrombophlebitis

Superficial Thrombophlebitis: Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

may include removal of an IV catheter, warm compresses, or antibiotics if an infection is suspected. To treat DVT, you may need to take anticoagulants, which make it harder for your blood to clot.

What is the fastest way to get rid of phlebitis?

For superficial thrombophlebitis, your doctor might recommend applying heat to the painful area, elevating the affected leg, using an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and possibly wearing compression stockings. The condition usually improves on its own.

How long does phlebitis from IV last?

Symptoms often go away in 1 to 2 weeks. Hardness of the vein may remain for much longer.

How long does it take for phlebitis to go away?

When the inflammation settles, you may be left with darkened skin and the lump may take 3 or 4 months to go. But most people make a full recovery.

What is the best way to treat phlebitis?

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The optimal treatment of phlebitis varies on several factors. If phlebitis is localized to a small section of a superficial vein then warm compresses, oral anti-inflammatory medications (eg. Motrin), topical anti-inflammatory creams (eg. Arnica), and leg elevation may be all that's required.

"Assessment of Peripheral Intravenous Lines" by Brienne Leary for OPENPediatrics

25 related questions found

How do you prevent IV phlebitis?

You can prevent many instances of phlebitis by choosing the proper insertion site, I.V. device, and securement technique. Administer irritating solutions via a central line, not a peripheral line. Check an I.V. drug book or ask the pharmacist if you're unsure how to safely administer a medication.

How do you reduce swelling from IV fluids?

Some possible treatments are:

1. Elevate the site as much as possible to help reduce swelling.
2. Apply a warm or cold compress (depending on the fluid) for 30 minutes every 2-3 hours to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
3. Medication-If recommended, medicine for extravasations is given within 24 hours for best effect.

Will aspirin help phlebitis?

An anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help lessen the pain and inflammation of superficial phlebitis. But check with your doctor first. If you increase your walking, you increase blood flow. This helps prevent blood clots from developing.

What is phlebitis look like?

Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein. The vein is hot, red and lumpy. The lump is tubular in shape and it is tender to touch, it may throb and walking may be painful. The cause of phlebitis in the leg is most often a clot in the vein just under the skin.

What are the warning signs of phlebitis?

Symptoms of phlebitis

• redness.
• swelling.
• warmth.
• visible red “streaking” on your arm or leg.
• tenderness.
• rope- or cord-like structure that you can feel through the skin.

Is phlebitis very painful?

Although painful, this condition is not as serious as deep vein thrombosis because blood clots in veins close to the surface of your skin rarely break off and travel to other parts of the body. The symptoms of phlebitis include: Swelling around the clot as extra fluid builds up. Inflammation, redness and pain.

What cream can I use for phlebitis?

Hirudoid® cream (heparinoid) may improve your symptoms, although there is some evidence that heparin gel may be more effective. Fondaparinux (also called Arixtra®) is an injected medicine which inhibits one of the body's clotting factors.

Does phlebitis ever go away?

Phlebitis is a treatable condition and resolves within days to weeks.

Is heating pad good for phlebitis?

To help relieve pain and swelling, you may be told to: Apply heat or cold to the affected area. Do this for up to 10 minutes as often as directed. Heat: Use a warm compress, such as a heating pad.

What triggers phlebitis?

What Causes Phlebitis? Superficial phlebitis is usually caused by local trauma to a vein. Superficial phlebitis is most often caused by an intravenous catheter (IV) placed in a vein, and the vein becomes irritated. Superficial phlebitis may or not have a blood clot form to cause the pain and inflammation.

How does warm compress help phlebitis?

Apply a warm compress to your vein.

This will help decrease swelling and pain.

What are the 3 types of phlebitis?

Phlebitis

• Mechanical phlebitis. Mechanical phlebitis occurs where the movement of a foreign object (cannula) within a vein causes friction and subsequent venous inflammation (Stokowski et al, 2009) (Fig 1). ...
• Chemical phlebitis. ...
• Infective phlebitis.

When should I see a doctor for phlebitis?

See your doctor right away if you have a red, swollen or tender vein — especially if you have one or more risk factors for thrombophlebitis. Call 911 or your local emergency number if: The vein swelling and pain are severe.

Does phlebitis go away on its own?

In most cases, superficial thrombophlebitis goes away on its own after a few weeks. If needed, we can encourage healing with: Oral or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

How long does it take to dissolve a superficial blood clot?

Superficial thrombophlebitis is not usually a serious condition and often settles down and goes away on its own within 2–6 weeks.

Can too much IV fluid cause swelling?

IV fluids.

Receiving too much IV fluid, especially if there are other health conditions present, can lead to fluid overload and swelling.

How do you score phlebitis?

The Visual Infusion Phlebitis score (VIP scale)

1. Score 0 - the insertion site appears healthy and there are no signs of phlebitis. ...
2. Score 1 - one of the following signs is evident: slight pain or slight redness near IV insertion site. ...
3. Score 2 - two of the following signs are evident: pain at IV site, redness or swelling.

Does compression help phlebitis?

Compression stockings are a useful tool in easing the symptoms of phlebitis in the legs and usually knee or thigh high models will be recommended. They should be worn as often as possible and will help to improve circulation, as well as relieving pain and inflammation in some instances.

How long does it take for an IV vein to heal?

Fortunately, the body is remarkably resilient and does have some ability to recover if veins are damaged. Minor vein damage such as a blown vein can usually repair itself in 10-12 days. Major vein regrowth, however, can take months up to several years.

How do you dissolve blood clots naturally?

Natural blood thinners are substances that reduce the blood's ability to form clots.
...
Some foods and other substances that may act as natural blood thinners and help reduce the risk of clots include the following list:

1. Turmeric. ...
2. Ginger. ...
3. Cayenne peppers. ...
4. Vitamin E. ...
5. Garlic. ...
6. Cassia cinnamon. ...
7. Ginkgo biloba.