Phlebitis

(PRONOUNCED: FLEE BITE US)

Full medical name is “Superficial Thrombo Phlebitis” (STP) or “Superficial Venous Thrombosis” (SVT)

• A blood clot that forms in a superficial vein or varicose vein
• Usually appears as red painful knots under the skin.
• Rarely dangerous as opposed to DVT (deep venous thrombosis)
  • Superficial veins are beneath the skin but outside the muscle layer
  • Deep veins are inside the muscle layer.
• Sometimes the varicose vein is deeper under the skin and cannot be seen, but when it clots it gets red, warm, and tender on the skin.

Causes Of Phlebitis

• Trauma to an area with varicose veins.
• Long periods of inactivity like car rides or plane rides.
• Suddenly being sedentary like going to the hospital or staying in bed from the flu.
• Birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy.
• Dehydration.
• Inherited or acquired clotting disorders of the blood.
• Cancer.

Treatment For Phlebitis

• Usually resolves on its own. Most of the time, it begins to cool off in a few days. The knots or cords start resolving in a few weeks. For some it may take longer.
• The clot can be evacuated or drained. The pressure is relieved and the pain gets much better almost right away. Rarely done by non vein specialists.
• Anti -inflammatory medication like ibuprofen helps.
• Warm compress or heating pad may help.
• Leg elevation may relieve the pressure.
• Compression garments. Keep  adjacent veins empty and clot  from spreading.
• Many doctors confuse phlebitis with cellulitis, which is an infection. The red hot tenderness looks and feels the same as if it were infected. Antibiotics may be prescribed which will appear to work because the phlebitis starts going away on its own. Sometimes doctors know it is phlebitis, but prescribe antibiotics just to be on the safe side.

“Thrombophlebitis Migrans”

• Repeat episodes of phlebitis.
• In random areas.
• Even areas without varicose veins.
• Very rare.
• Could be the first sign of an undiscovered cancer.