Is superficial phlebitis harmful?
When blood clots occur in the superficial veins, phlebitis is harmless condition. It may be moderately painful but eventually resolves in 2-4 weeks. Which veins are prone to superficial thrombophlebitis? The veins you seen underneath your skin and legs are superficial veins and it is these veins which are usually affected. However, compared to the rest of the body, the superficial leg veins are most commonly affected by phlebitis. What causes thrombophlebitis? Any condition that causes irritation of the vein can cause phlebitis. The most common causes of superficial phlebitis include: – blood clots – varicose veins predisposes one to blood clots – Intravenous catheters: sometimes in hospital, the IV solutions and chemicals used are irritating to the vein and cause phlebitis. In all cases, the needle catheter has to be removed and placed elsewhere. – trauma – Self injection with dirty needle. This is a common scenario in drug addicts who use dirty needles which are shared. – Pregnancy n
