Symptoms
Superficial Thrombophlebitis: Warmth, tenderness, and pain along the affected vein. The vein may appear red, swollen, and hard.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Pain, swelling, and tenderness in the leg. Skin discoloration (redness) may occur. In some cases, there are no noticeable symptoms.
Causes
Prolonged inactivity (e.g., long car rides, bed rest after surgery)
Injury to a vein
Surgery
Pregnancy
Certain blood clotting disorders
Use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
Cancer
Obesity
Smoking
Varicose veins
Medicine Used
Superficial Thrombophlebitis: Pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), compression stockings, topical creams (e.g., heparinoid ointments). In some cases, anticoagulants may be prescribed.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as heparin, warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban. Thrombolytics (clot-dissolving drugs) may be used in severe cases.
Is Communicable
No, thrombophlebitis is not a communicable disease. It is not caused by an infectious agent and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Stay active and avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
If traveling long distances, take breaks to walk around.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Quit smoking.
If at risk for DVT (e.g., after surgery), follow your doctor's recommendations for preventative measures, such as compression stockings or anticoagulant medication.
Stay hydrated.
How long does an outbreak last?
Superficial Thrombophlebitis: Symptoms usually improve within 1-2 weeks, but may take several weeks to resolve completely.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Treatment with anticoagulants typically lasts for at least 3-6 months, and sometimes longer depending on the underlying cause and risk of recurrence.
How is it diagnosed?
Physical Examination: A doctor will examine the affected area and ask about your symptoms and medical history.
Ultrasound: This is the most common diagnostic test for DVT. It uses sound waves to create images of the veins and identify blood clots.
Venography: An X-ray of the veins after injecting a contrast dye. This is less common than ultrasound.
D-dimer blood test: Measures a substance in the blood that is released when a blood clot breaks down. A negative D-dimer test can help rule out DVT, but a positive test requires further investigation.
Timeline of Symptoms
The onset of symptoms can vary.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis: Symptoms may develop gradually over a few days or appear more suddenly.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Symptoms can develop gradually over a few days or weeks, or they may appear suddenly. In some cases, there may be no noticeable symptoms until a complication such as pulmonary embolism occurs.
Important Considerations
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious complication of DVT that occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or lightheadedness.
Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a long-term complication of DVT that can cause chronic leg pain, swelling, skin discoloration, and ulcers. Compression stockings can help prevent or manage PTS.
If you have a history of thrombophlebitis or other blood clotting disorders, discuss preventative measures with your doctor, especially before surgery, prolonged travel, or starting hormone therapy.