Call your healthcare provider if you or a loved one has signs and symptoms of swelling, pain, and inflamed superficial veins on the arms or legs.
Deep vein thrombophlebitis requires immediate medical care.
If the patient has any of these signs and symptoms, go to a hospital emergency department for evaluation:
- High fever with any symptoms in an arm or leg
- Lumps in a leg
- Severe pain and swelling in an arm or leg
- Chest pain and shortness of
breath, which could be the first symptom that a blood clot has already traveled to the lung
Self-Care at Home
- Prevention is always the first step. Being active (walking, avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or lying down if possible) will increase blood flow. This helps prevent blood clots from developing.
- Avoid bed rest for prolonged periods. It can make symptoms worse.
- Ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory
medications may help lessen the pain and inflammation.
- Prescription leg compression stockings (knee or thigh high) improve blood flow and may help to relieve pain and swelling.
Outlook
Phlebitis in the superficial veins is rarely serious and usually responds to pain control, elevation, and warm compresses for one to two weeks