Phlebitis (superficial thrombophlebitis)
Overview
Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein near the surface of the skin. It’s not usually serious and often gets better on its own after 1 or 2 weeks.
Symptoms
Phlebitis usually affects the veins in the legs, but you can also get it in your arms or neck. The main symptoms are: pain, tenderness or swelling in the affected areawarm and itchy skin over the affected areachanges to the colour and texture of the surrounding skin – for example, the skin may be red and it may be thick and hard There are things you can do to help ease the pain and discomfort of phlebitis. continue using the affected leg or arm continue using the affected leg or arm raise your leg or arm while resting raise your leg or arm while resting put a warm, moist flannel over the affected area put a warm, moist flannel over the affected area takeparacetamoloribuprofen– if you’ve been prescribed blood-thinning medicine, do not take ibuprofen unless advised to by your doctor takeparacetamoloribuprofen– if you’ve been prescribed blood-thinning medicine, do not take ibuprofen unless advised to by your doctor
Causes
It's not always clear what causes phlebitis. Often the inflammation is linked to: varicose veins(swollen and enlarged veins, usually in the legs)conditions that cause the blood to clot more easily likethrombophiliaautoimmune conditions likeBehçet's disease(a rare condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels)having injections or a small plastic tube (cannula) inserted into a vein Other things that can increase your chances of getting phlebitis include: getting olderbeing obesebeing pregnanthaving cancerhaving phlebitis in the past
Treatment
Treatment for phlebitis may not be needed if your symptoms are mild. But treatment may be recommended if your symptoms are severe or do not go away. Treatments may include: anti-inflammatory medicines – cream or gel can be used if the affected area is smallcompression stockings – these increase blood flow to the legs but are only suitable for some people with phlebitisblood-thinning medicine to reduce the risk of blood clots and help stop phlebitis coming back