Is phlebitis very painful?

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asked Apr 6, 2022 in Diseases Conditions by Submariner233 (920 points)
Is phlebitis very painful?

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answered Apr 7, 2022 by Yracoony (2,480 points)
Some people do experience severe pain with phlebitis and other people only experience mild pain.

Phlebitis can in rare cases cause a stroke.

There are two types – deep vein phlebitis or DVT (thrombosis) and superficial phlebitis.

DVT is more life threatening because large clots in a vein may break off and then enter the bloodstream and hence cause a stroke.

Phlebitis can travel up the leg and may also travel from one leg to another.

Blood clots can also travel up the leg and also from one leg to another as well.

Phlebitis of the leg will look like and appear as a slow onset of a tender red area along the superficial veins on the skin.

Walking is good for phlebitis and good for preventing blood clots.

When you walk you increase the blood flow and improve circulation of your blood which in turn helps to prevent blood clots and helps relieve phlebitis as well.

Some things you can do to help prevent phlebitis is to massage your legs, get plenty of exercise, avoid sitting too long and if you get or do injections follow the following instructions.

Most cases and instances of phlebitis can be prevented 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.

The classic signs of phlebitis include, redness, swelling, tenderness, warmth, visible red “streaking“ on the skin along the vein and a rope- or cord-like structure that you can feel through the skin.

The fastest way to get rid of phlebitis is to apply some heat to the affected area such as using a hot water bottle or heating pad and elevate the leg.

Also taking some NSAIDS medicine which are over the counter pain medicine can help get rid of and treat phlebitis.

It takes between 1 to 3 weeks for phlebitis to go away.

If the phlebitis does not go away or seems to get worse or does get worse after 3 weeks then you should see a doctor.

Most cases of phlebitis do go away on their own without treatment.

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.

You should see your doctor if you have phlebitis although most cases of phlebitis are not serious it can lead to complications if left untreated.

If you have a red or swollen vein or a tender vein you should always go see a doctor for phlebitis or if the swelling and pain is severe go to the emergency room or call 911 if you can't get to the emergency room on your own.

If phlebitis is not treated sometimes complications can arise from the untreated phlebitis which include local infection and abscess formation, clot formation, and progression to a deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Phlebitis can be serious although the condition phlebitis is rarely serious.

Complications of phlebitis may include local infection and abscess formation, clot formation, and progression to a deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

When pronounced deep venous thrombophlebitis has seriously damaged the leg veins, this can lead to post-phlebitic syndrome.

No antibiotics are used for phlebitis since phlebitis is not a bacterial infection and antibiotics cannot help phlebitis.

Phlebitis is not a bacterial infection although cellulitis is a bacterial infection.

Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein and so antibiotics will do not good.

The difference between cellulitis and phlebitis is that cellulitis is caused by a bacterial infection while phlebitis is caused by damaged veins or blood clots.

Also cellulitis affects the deeper layers of the skin and the fat and soft tissue that lies underneath.

Medications that can cause phlebitis are.

Antibiotics.
Hypertonic dextrose solutions (>10%)
Vancer chemotherapies.
Vasoactive medications.
Solutions containing calcium and potassium supplements.

When phlebitis is superficial, a blood clot arises in the superficial veins, which are the veins that are just under the surface of the skin.

This type of disorder is common and is usually a benign and self-limiting disease. DVT, on the other hand, is a blood clot that develops in a vein deep in the body.

Phlebitis is most often caused by damage to the vein wall or by a blood clot that blocks a vein.

Blood clots can occur in veins near the surface of the skin or in veins deep within your muscles.

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.

Phlebitis which is inflammation of the veins.

The Phlebitis condition that causes inflammation of the veins is also known as ThromboPhlebitis which is caused by one or more blood clots in a vein or veins.

The Blood Clots in the vein cause inflammation of the veins which lead to the bumps in the veins.

When you have bumps in your vein or in your veins you should see your doctor as you are likely experience blood clotting which can be dangerous and lead to heart attacks, strokes and even death.

Thrombophlebitis usually occurs in leg veins, but it may occur in an arm or other parts of the body.

The thrombus in the vein causes pain and irritation and may block blood flow in the veins.

Also bumps in your veins can be simply varicose veins and if so the bumps can be harmless but you should have it checked out to be sure.

To increase blood flow and decrease pressure in your veins, you should elevate your legs above your waist several times throughout the day.

Elastic stockings: Supportive stockings or socks compress your veins and reduce discomfort.

The compression stops your veins from stretching and helps blood flow.

The blood clot usually clears and the inflammation dies down within a few weeks.

Most people with superficial thrombophlebitis are otherwise well.

There should not be any foul discharge or abscess, and it's normally just lumps under the skin rather than swelling of the whole calf.

Signs that your condition may be serious include severe and continuous pain and swelling in the legs.

Heaviness and/or dull, achy feeling in the legs at the end of the day, or after physical activity.

Varicose veins are red and feel warm and tender to the touch.

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