Phlebitis
What is phlebitis?
Phlebitis is an inflammation of the vein due to bacterial infection, injury or unknown causes. Thrombophlebitis results when a blood clot has formed in an arm or leg vein. Phlebitis can develop in a superficial vein near the surface of the skin, or in a deep vein.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are pain, redness and inflammation. However, in deep vein thrombosis (DVT), there may be no symptoms unless the clot travels to the lungs, resulting in a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
What treatment is available for phlebitis?
Thrombophlebitis in superficial veins is usually treated at home with rest while the leg is elevated, pain relievers such as aspirin and, if necessary, antibiotics. Warm compresses can ease the inflammation and elastic stockings also help.
Deep vein thrombophlebitis is treated with anticoagulants or thrombolysis, a procedure in which clot-busting drugs are infused into the blood clot site.
