Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Thrombophlebitis occurs near the skin’s surface or in deeper veins.The blood clots can interfere with normal flow. Depending on the severity, they could put your life at risk.
This article will cover thrombophlebitis symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSuze777 / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Suze777 / Getty Images
Types of Thrombophlebitis
There are two main types of thrombophlebitis: superficial and deep vein.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
Superficial thrombophlebitisoccurs in the veins just below the skin’s surface.It can affect the legor the arm. You usually do not feel pain with superficial thrombophlebitis, and it may clear on its own without treatment. With some time, the blood clot will eventually break apart, and blood flow will resume.
Superficial thrombophlebitis is sometimes a sign ofdeep vein thrombosis(DVT), a more serious condition requiring treatment.
There are different subtypes of superficial thrombophlebitis.These are:
Thrombosis vs. Thrombophlebitis
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more deep veins, often in the legs. Some people may experience pain and swelling, but most have no noticeable symptoms.
DVT is a serious condition because blood clots can break loose and travel through the bloodstream. They might get into the lungs and block flow—a condition calledpulmonary embolism. The combination of these two conditions is known asvenous thromboembolism(VTE).
Thrombophlebitis Symptoms
Thesymptoms of thrombophlebitiswill vary based on the type.
Superficial vein thrombophlebitis might cause the following symptoms:
DVT primarily affects the large veins in the lower leg or thigh on one side of the body.The clot can block blood flow and cause the following symptoms:
If a pulmonary embolism is present, there will be limited blood supply to the lungs.Symptoms of PE might include:
You will want to watch out for infection at the site of thrombophlebitis. This is called septic thrombophlebitis, which can occur with both superficial and deep venous thrombophlebitis.The infection can appear as an abscess—a tender mass filled with pus.
When the deep vein thrombophlebitis causes vein damage, it leads to postphlebetic syndrome, also calledpost-thrombotic syndrome.It primarily causes chronic swelling and pain in the affected vein area.
You could also develop a blood clot if you experience an injury to a blood vessel or sustain an injury from an IV needle or catheter.But this is a less common cause of a blood clot.
There are also risk factors that cause blood to clot more easily.Such risk factors include:
Superficial thrombophlebitis might recur in people withvaricose veins—twisted, enlarged veins at the skin’s surface.
Many cases of thrombophlebitis are diagnosed in the emergency room because the symptoms can be alarming.Because blood clots can be dangerous, it is a good idea to seek out immediate medical help.
At the emergency department, a healthcare provider will ask about your health and medical history, including what medicines you are taking. After learning about your medical history, they will ask about your symptoms, when they started, and how long you have had them.
Duplex ultrasonographyis the most common tool used to diagnose thrombophlebitis.This test uses sound waves to examine blood flow in the veins. It can also detect blockages in the deep veins.
The healthcare provider might also order aD-dimer test.This blood test measures a substance in the blood that is released when a clot breaks apart. If this test is negative, there is no blood clot.
Additional imaging for thrombophlebitis includes contrast venography.This is a special type of X-ray in which a contrast dye is injected into a large vein in the foot or ankle to help the healthcare provider see the deep veins of your leg and hip.
While contrast venography is accurate for diagnosing blood clots, it is an invasive procedure.Healthcare providers prefer to use duplex ultrasonography and only use contrast venography in exceptional circumstances.
Seek Immediate CareReach out to a healthcare provider immediately or visit your local emergency room if you suspect a blood clot in your leg or arm. Immediate treatment can prevent serious complications.
Seek Immediate Care
Reach out to a healthcare provider immediately or visit your local emergency room if you suspect a blood clot in your leg or arm. Immediate treatment can prevent serious complications.
After diagnosis and identification of superficial thrombophlebitis, most people can treat the condition at home. Your healthcare provider may recommend the following as part of your treatment plan:
Some people might need surgery to remove the affected vein, either due to pain or the appearance of the vein. This procedure is called vein stripping and doesn’t affect circulation.
People who have superficial thrombophlebitis do not typically needblood thinners. They might be prescribed if you have a clot in or near a deep vein to reduce the potential for it becoming a DVT.
Additional treatments for DVT are:
Superficial thrombophlebitis is a short-term condition that rarely causes complications, although some people might experience an infection or DVT. Your full recovery might take up to a few weeks.Hardening of the vein might occur and add to healing time. Infection or DVT might also add to your healing time.
A DVT or PE can take several months to dissolve fully.Blood-thinning medicines and compression stockings can help facilitate your full recovery. Your healthcare provider will request blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor you and determine if the blood clot is still in place.
You may experience recurrent episodes of superficial thrombophlebitis if you have varicose veins.
Summary
The two types of thrombophlebitis are superficial thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombophlebitis. The superficial type is usually harmless and is treated with home remedies, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics, but it might also be a sign of a DVT. DVTs are treated with anticoagulants, thrombolytics, a special filter procedure, and surgery.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Blood clots.MedlinePlus.Thrombophlebitis.Smith ZT, Bagley AR, Guy D, Preston L, Ali NS.Ultrasound imaging of superficial venous thrombosis in the upper and lower extremities: closing the gap between clinical management guidelines and ultrasound practice parameters.J Ultrasound Med. 2022;41(3):535-542. doi:10.1002/jum.15737Scott G, Mahdi AJ, Alikhan R.Superficial vein thrombosis: a current approach to management.Br J Haematol. 2015;168(5):639-645. doi:10.1111/bjh.13255Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institution.What Is venous thromboembolism?MedlinePlus.Superficial thrombophlebitis.American Heart Association.Symptoms and diagnosis of venous thromboembolism(VTE).MedlinePlus.Deep vein thrombosis.Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis.J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-1183. doi:10.1111/jth.12986Kahn SR.The post-thrombotic syndrome.Hematology. 2016;2016(1):413-418. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.413Tramujas L, Judice MM, Becker AB.Evaluation of the diagnostic management of deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Santa Catarina, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.J Vasc Bras. 2022;21:e20200217. doi:10.1590/1677-5449.202002171Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism.Kwiecien GJ, Coombs DM, Sinclair N, Gastman BR, Bassiri Gharb B, Rampazzo A.Acute superficial vein thrombosis of the upper extremity: a case report.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(12):e3322. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003322Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.113.006285
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Blood clots.MedlinePlus.Thrombophlebitis.Smith ZT, Bagley AR, Guy D, Preston L, Ali NS.Ultrasound imaging of superficial venous thrombosis in the upper and lower extremities: closing the gap between clinical management guidelines and ultrasound practice parameters.J Ultrasound Med. 2022;41(3):535-542. doi:10.1002/jum.15737Scott G, Mahdi AJ, Alikhan R.Superficial vein thrombosis: a current approach to management.Br J Haematol. 2015;168(5):639-645. doi:10.1111/bjh.13255Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institution.What Is venous thromboembolism?MedlinePlus.Superficial thrombophlebitis.American Heart Association.Symptoms and diagnosis of venous thromboembolism(VTE).MedlinePlus.Deep vein thrombosis.Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis.J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-1183. doi:10.1111/jth.12986Kahn SR.The post-thrombotic syndrome.Hematology. 2016;2016(1):413-418. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.413Tramujas L, Judice MM, Becker AB.Evaluation of the diagnostic management of deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Santa Catarina, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.J Vasc Bras. 2022;21:e20200217. doi:10.1590/1677-5449.202002171Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism.Kwiecien GJ, Coombs DM, Sinclair N, Gastman BR, Bassiri Gharb B, Rampazzo A.Acute superficial vein thrombosis of the upper extremity: a case report.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(12):e3322. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003322Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.113.006285
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Blood clots.MedlinePlus.Thrombophlebitis.Smith ZT, Bagley AR, Guy D, Preston L, Ali NS.Ultrasound imaging of superficial venous thrombosis in the upper and lower extremities: closing the gap between clinical management guidelines and ultrasound practice parameters.J Ultrasound Med. 2022;41(3):535-542. doi:10.1002/jum.15737Scott G, Mahdi AJ, Alikhan R.Superficial vein thrombosis: a current approach to management.Br J Haematol. 2015;168(5):639-645. doi:10.1111/bjh.13255Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institution.What Is venous thromboembolism?MedlinePlus.Superficial thrombophlebitis.American Heart Association.Symptoms and diagnosis of venous thromboembolism(VTE).MedlinePlus.Deep vein thrombosis.Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis.J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-1183. doi:10.1111/jth.12986Kahn SR.The post-thrombotic syndrome.Hematology. 2016;2016(1):413-418. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.413Tramujas L, Judice MM, Becker AB.Evaluation of the diagnostic management of deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Santa Catarina, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.J Vasc Bras. 2022;21:e20200217. doi:10.1590/1677-5449.202002171Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism.Kwiecien GJ, Coombs DM, Sinclair N, Gastman BR, Bassiri Gharb B, Rampazzo A.Acute superficial vein thrombosis of the upper extremity: a case report.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(12):e3322. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003322Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.113.006285
MedlinePlus.Blood clots.
MedlinePlus.Thrombophlebitis.
Smith ZT, Bagley AR, Guy D, Preston L, Ali NS.Ultrasound imaging of superficial venous thrombosis in the upper and lower extremities: closing the gap between clinical management guidelines and ultrasound practice parameters.J Ultrasound Med. 2022;41(3):535-542. doi:10.1002/jum.15737
Scott G, Mahdi AJ, Alikhan R.Superficial vein thrombosis: a current approach to management.Br J Haematol. 2015;168(5):639-645. doi:10.1111/bjh.13255
Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institution.What Is venous thromboembolism?
MedlinePlus.Superficial thrombophlebitis.
American Heart Association.Symptoms and diagnosis of venous thromboembolism(VTE).
MedlinePlus.Deep vein thrombosis.
Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis.J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-1183. doi:10.1111/jth.12986
Kahn SR.The post-thrombotic syndrome.Hematology. 2016;2016(1):413-418. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.413
Tramujas L, Judice MM, Becker AB.Evaluation of the diagnostic management of deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Santa Catarina, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.J Vasc Bras. 2022;21:e20200217. doi:10.1590/1677-5449.202002171
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism.
Kwiecien GJ, Coombs DM, Sinclair N, Gastman BR, Bassiri Gharb B, Rampazzo A.Acute superficial vein thrombosis of the upper extremity: a case report.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(12):e3322. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003322
Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.113.006285
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