Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Superficial Thrombophlebitis?

Geisha A. Legazpi
Geisha A. Legazpi

Superficial thrombophlebitis is a painful and sometimes disabling condition of veins just beneath the skin that commonly affects the legs, groin, and arms; it is often correlated to varicose veins. Superficial thrombophlebitis is also called superficial phlebitis. Its main mechanism is an inflammatory-thrombotic process, which may be secondary to infection, injury, blood disorders, or poor blood flow.

Normally, blood flows through vessels in a smooth, uninterrupted manner. When a person has predisposing factors, such as atherosclerosis or uneven thickening of the blood vessel wall, blood disorders such as leukemia or polycythemia, blood vessel trauma or simply poor blood flow, thrombus formation occurs. A thrombus is simply a blood clot that stays in one place within the blood vessel, which is a vein in this case. What makes this thrombus stick to the walls of the vein is an inflammatory reaction that increases that stickiness of platelets. The combination of inflammation and thrombosis leads to the typical symptoms of thrombophlebitis.

Superficial thrombophlebitis is often associated with varicose veins.
Superficial thrombophlebitis is often associated with varicose veins.

When superficial phlebitis occurs secondary to an infection, it is called septic thrombophlebitis. Usually, such an infection follows the use of intravenous catheterization among people who are undergoing intravenous drug treatment for other diseases. When there is no infection involved, superficial phlebitis is simply called sterile thrombophlebitis.

Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin are often used to treat superficial thrombophlebitis.
Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin are often used to treat superficial thrombophlebitis.

Regardless of the cause, a person who has superficial thrombophlebitis often experiences pain or tenderness over the affected area. This pain usually occurs with swelling. After sometime, a red streak might appear along the path of a vein, which normally appears as a blue or green vessel under the skin. If this red streak is palpated or felt along its length, it would have the consistency of an elevated hard cord.

Compression stockings can provide relief for painful symptoms caused by superficial thrombophlebitis.
Compression stockings can provide relief for painful symptoms caused by superficial thrombophlebitis.

A severe vein disease called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should not be mistaken for superficial thrombophlebitis. DVT causes little or no inflammation, which is why it does not present with tender veins. Additionally, because DVT involves deep veins, it usually lacks skin manifestations.

This does not mean that a person with superficial phlebitis should be complacent. Studies show that people with superficial thrombophlebitis often have concomitant DVT. This is because both conditions have similar risk factors and mechanisms of development. Additionally, untreated superficial phlebitis could eventually invade the deeper veins, leading to postphlebitic syndrome, DVT, or even pulmonary embolism. Therefore, a person with superficial thrombophlebitis should be screened for DVT and pulmonary embolism and treated as soon as possible.

An uneven thickening of the blood vessel walls may cause thrombus formation to occur.
An uneven thickening of the blood vessel walls may cause thrombus formation to occur.

Treatment targets the cause and provides relief of symptoms. If there is an infection, antibiotics are given. To address the thrombosis and pain, low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin are given. Other therapies that might help are regular walking, application of warm compresses, and use of compression stockings.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Superficial thrombophlebitis is often associated with varicose veins.
      By: roblan
      Superficial thrombophlebitis is often associated with varicose veins.
    • Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin are often used to treat superficial thrombophlebitis.
      By: areeya_ann
      Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin are often used to treat superficial thrombophlebitis.
    • Compression stockings can provide relief for painful symptoms caused by superficial thrombophlebitis.
      By: nito
      Compression stockings can provide relief for painful symptoms caused by superficial thrombophlebitis.
    • An uneven thickening of the blood vessel walls may cause thrombus formation to occur.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      An uneven thickening of the blood vessel walls may cause thrombus formation to occur.
    • Superficial thrombophlebitis therapies may include the application of warm compresses.
      By: happytotakephoto
      Superficial thrombophlebitis therapies may include the application of warm compresses.
    • Side effects of birth control medications may include superficial vein thrombosis.
      By: cristi180884
      Side effects of birth control medications may include superficial vein thrombosis.
    • Symptoms of thrombosis can include leg pain.
      By: Dirima
      Symptoms of thrombosis can include leg pain.