Superficial Vein Thrombosis
What is Superficial Vein Thrombosis?
Superficial vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in a vein located near the surface of the skin. Most superficial veins that develop thrombosis also have phlebitis, which is a term used for veins that are red, inflamed and painful. Often times it is is called superficial thrombophlebitis. 1, 2
These thromboses are not normally as serious as deep vein thrombosis; however they can become more serious if they are able to enter deep veins through the perforator veins – veins that connect the superficial veins to the deep veins
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Superficial Vein Thrombosis include:
- Pain or tenderness and hardness in a vein
- Feeling of increased warmth in the area of the clot
- Red or discolored skin in the area of the clot
Treatment for Superficial Vein Thrombosis
The main goal when you begin treatment for superficial thrombophlebitis is to control pain and inflammation.
For pain:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
- Warm compresses
For inflammation and swelling:
- Leg elevation when you are resting
- Compression stockings
- Staying active and not sitting for too long
If the clot is close to a deep vein, a course of blood thinners is often given, to prevent the superficial vein thrombosis from developing into a DVT
Page references:
- https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/463256-overview1
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17523-superficial-thrombophlebitis2
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombophlebitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354607
