HealthInfo Canterbury
Thrombophlebitis
Tepe ia-auraki
Thrombophlebitis (throm-bo-fle-by-tis), or just phlebitis, is where a vein becomes inflamed due to a blood clot.
Thrombophlebitis usually happens in your legs, although it can affect other veins. Thrombophlebitis affects your shallow (superficial) veins and is different to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
The affected area may be warm, red, swollen and tender.
Thrombophlebitis is caused by a blood clot in your vein. Having varicose veins or venous insufficiency is by far the most common cause of thrombophlebitis.
Other things that can increase the chances of you getting thrombophlebitis include:
- being inactive for long periods such as after an injury or operation
- having a current or previous DVT, having a blood clotting disorder or having family members who have had blood clots in their veins
- having higher than normal levels of estrogen due to being pregnant, taking birth control pills or using menopause hormone therapy (MHT)
- being overweight
- having an injury to a vein.
Diagnosing thrombophlebitis
Your general practice team will usually diagnose thrombophlebitis from the appearance of the affected area and your symptoms. If they suspect that you might have a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as well as thrombophlebitis, they may refer you for an ultrasound test.
Treating thrombophlebitis
Treatment options for thrombophlebitis include:
- keeping your leg raised when resting (but walking can help so try to keep active)
- using warm or cold compresses on the leg (they can be soothing)
- taking ibuprofen (but ask your general practice team or pharmacist if it's safe for you)
- wearing compression stockings (this can help some people).
With this treatment, most people with thrombophlebitis find it's much better within a week.
A small number of people with thrombophlebitis need blood-thinning medicines.
Occasionally, the leg gets infected, and you'll need to take antibiotics.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Patient.info – Superficial thrombophlebitis
This page has information about superficial thrombophlebitis including its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2022.
Sources
Review key: HIBLV-403653
