Vein Doctors Sydney

Vein Specialists for the Northern Beaches and North Shore

Phlebitis · Superficial thrombophlebitis

Phlebitis and superficial thrombophlebitis

A red, sore, hard vein under the skin is usually superficial thrombophlebitis: inflammation of a surface vein with a small clot inside it. It often settles on its own, but in the leg it can spread into a deep vein, so it should be checked with an ultrasound.

Urgent scans within 2 business daysVenous ultrasound bulk billed with a GP referralManly and St Leonards
Call (02) 9023 9970

Please call rather than book online, so we can find you an urgent time.

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We’ll call you in business hours to book your scan.

Not for urgent medical concerns. In an emergency, call 000.

When to get help now. Call 000 if you have chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or you are coughing up blood. See your GP or go to the emergency department the same day if your calf or whole leg is swollen and painful, which can be a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or if you have a fever, or redness that is spreading across the skin.
About phlebitis

What is phlebitis?

Phlebitis means inflammation of a vein. When a small blood clot forms in the inflamed vein, it is called thrombophlebitis. Most cases affect a vein just under the skin, called superficial thrombophlebitis or superficial vein thrombosis.

It is different from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a clot in a deep vein inside the muscle. Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis explained

Symptoms

A red, tender line or patch along a vein
A firm, cord-like vein or lump you can feel under the skin
Warmth and aching over the vein
Mild swelling around the sore area
Often in a varicose vein on the calf or thigh
Is it serious?

Superficial thrombophlebitis or DVT?

Superficial thrombophlebitis is rarely dangerous on its own. The concern is that a clot in the leg can spread into a deep vein, especially when it is long or close to where the surface vein joins the deep veins in the groin or behind the knee. Some people also have a DVT at the same time without knowing. An ultrasound shows exactly where the clot is. More on thrombophlebitis and DVT

CompareSuperficial thrombophlebitisDeep vein thrombosis
WhereA vein just under the skinA deep vein inside the muscle
What you noticeA red, tender, hard vein you can see or feelSwelling, aching or heaviness in the calf or whole leg, often with nothing to see on the skin
Main riskThe clot can extend into a deep veinThe clot can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
What to doAn ultrasound within a few daysSame-day medical assessment
Causes

What causes phlebitis?

Often there is more than one cause. Causes of phlebitis and how to prevent it

Varicose veins
The most common cause in the legs. Blood pools in the enlarged vein, which makes a clot more likely, and it can keep coming back until the varicose vein is treated.
Not moving for long periods
Long flights or car trips, bed rest, or recovering from surgery or an injury.
Hormones
Pregnancy and the months after birth, the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy.
A drip or injection
A cannula or injection can irritate the vein. This is the usual cause in the arm or hand.
Clotting history
A previous clot, a family history of clots, or a condition that makes the blood clot more easily.
Assessment and treatment

How we look after phlebitis in the leg

Dr Ryan McConnell is an interventional radiologist and vein specialist. He reviews your scan and works out the right treatment with you. About varicose vein treatment

01
Call us
We will find you a venous ultrasound within 2 business days in Manly or St Leonards. You can call before you have a referral, but you will need a GP referral for your appointment.
02
Ultrasound
The scan shows how long the clot is, how close it is to the deep veins, whether there is a DVT, and whether there are varicose veins underneath.
03
Treatment
Most cases settle with compression stockings, anti-inflammatory medicine, warm compresses and keeping active. If the clot is long or close to a deep vein, a blood-thinning medicine may be recommended for some weeks, sometimes with a repeat scan.
04
Stopping it coming back
If it started in a varicose vein, treating that vein once things have settled helps stop it happening again. We send your GP the scan report and our plan.
Arm and hand

Phlebitis in the arm or hand

Phlebitis in the arm or hand usually follows a drip (cannula), a blood test or an injection. The vein becomes red, tender and firm, sometimes with a hard cord along it. It usually settles over a week or two with warm compresses, resting and raising the arm, and anti-inflammatory medicine.

Your GP, or the hospital team if you have recently been in hospital, is the best place to start. Seek same-day care if you have a fever, the redness is spreading, or there is pus where the drip was, as these can be signs of infection. Our clinics mainly look after phlebitis in the legs.

Phlebitis in the wrist: a red, inflamed vein under the skin
Questions

Common questions

Usually not, and most cases settle within a few weeks. In the leg it can sometimes extend into a deep vein or occur alongside a DVT, which is why an ultrasound is recommended.

Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein. Thrombophlebitis is inflammation with a blood clot in the vein. In practice the terms are often used for the same thing.

Walking and normal daily activity are usually encouraged, as moving helps blood flow. Compression stockings can make it more comfortable. Avoid long periods of sitting still, and ask us before returning to strenuous exercise.

Pain and redness usually settle over 1 to 3 weeks. A firm lump or brown mark along the vein can take longer to fade, sometimes a few months.

You can call to book before you have one, but please get a GP referral before your appointment. With a referral, your venous ultrasound is bulk billed. GPs can find referral details on our information for doctors page.

Repeated phlebitis in the same leg is usually caused by varicose veins. Treating the faulty vein underneath helps stop it recurring.

Think you have phlebitis in your leg?

Call us and we will find you an ultrasound within 2 business days.

(02) 9023 9970
Information for GPs

Information on this website is general and isn't a substitute for advice about your own health. If you have a medical emergency, call 000. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. For other interventional radiology procedures, visit drryanmcconnell.com.au.

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