Phlebitis

Pain and swelling in the leg can be concerning, and our experts are here to care for you quickly. From medication and compression socks to minimally invasive surgery, we’ll provide the treatment you need to be well again.

What is phlebitis?

Phlebitis, or thrombophlebitis, is an inflammation that causes a blood clot to form in a vein, usually in your leg. When it affects a vein close to your skin’s surface, it’s called superficial phlebitis.

When it affects a deeper vein, it’s called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Superficial phlebitis usually develops after you’ve had a mild trauma to one of your veins, such as having an IV line. It typically subsides quickly and doesn’t cause any serious health problems.

In deep vein thrombosis, the blood clot in the deep vein can break loose and travel through your bloodstream to your lungs. This can cause a pulmonary embolism, a dangerous blockage that prevents blood from reaching your lungs.

Phlebitis symptoms

If you have either type of phlebitis, the most common signs are:

• Pain, swelling and tenderness of the skin, which, if on your leg, may get worse when you lower your leg
• Red, itchy skin that feels warm to the touch
• Low-grade fever if related to an infection
• Learn more about the signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Phlebitis diagnosis

To diagnose phlebitis, we’ll begin with a thorough physical exam and ask about any symptoms you’re having. We may order diagnostic tests for you, too, such as blood tests or an ultrasound.

Find out more about our heart and vascular testing and diagnosis.

Phlebitis treatment

If you’re diagnosed with phlebitis, we’ll tailor a treatment plan to you. If your symptoms are relatively mild, we may suggest self-care measures such as:

• Applying heat to the affected area
• Elevating the affected leg as much as possible
• Compression stockings
• Using over-the-counter medications (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

For more serious conditions, we may recommend:

• Medication such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or blood thinners
• Prescription-strength compression stockings
• Vein ligation and stripping for severe phlebitis, where we surgically tie off and remove the vein through a small incision