Phlebitis
Phlebitis
Day and Night Relief for Inflamed Veins
Simply translated, phlebitis means that the veins in your legs--those closest to the surface--are inflamed. A variation--deep-vein phlebitis--is more serious, says Lenise Banse, M.D., a dermatologist and vein expert at the Northeast Family Dermatology Center in Clinton Township, Michigan. Deep-vein phlebitis affects veins buried deeper and is usually caused by a clot in the affected veins. With thrombophlebitis--inflammation with clotting--matters can get tricky.
"If a clot breaks loose, it could find its way to the lungs or heart with fatal consequences," says Dr. Banse.
What puts you at risk for phlebitis, be it mild or serious?
"Genetics, smoking and varicose veins," says Toby Shaw, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine in Philadelphia. "Also, if phlebitis runs in your family, birth control pills add to your risk, since they can promote blood coagulation, and a clot is coagulated blood."
FOR MILD EPISODES
Thrombophlebitis is usually treated in a hospital with clot-busting medication, says Dr. Banse. If you've been told that you have superficial phlebitis, self-care can help alleviate the redness, itching, pain and swelling that results from inflammation.
Cool it. For immediate relief, Dr. Shaw recommends cool compresses made with Domeboro Astringent Solution, sold at drug stores. Empty one packet of powder into a basin filled with cool water, mix, then soak a clean washcloth in the solution. Wring out the washcloth and apply it to the inflamed area, she says.
Super-moisturize. To relieve itchiness, moisturize with Lac-Hydrin Five, an over-the-counter lotion found at drugstores, says Dr. Shaw.
Try medicated cream. If using a moisturizer isn't 100 percent effective, Dr. Shaw recommends you also apply an over-the-counter cortisone cream such as Cortaid with aloe. Topical antibiotic ointments such as Polysporin can also speed healing.
When To See A Doctor
Anyone who has phlebitis runs the risk that a clot will form in a deep vein, says Toby Shaw, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Pay attention to warning signs--notably, severe pain and swelling, says Dr. Shaw. If the pain or swelling in your leg increases, do not hesitate to check with your doctor. With the help of a friend, you can also check for what's called Homans' sign, says Dr. Shaw. Ask someone to put their hand on the back of your leg over your calf as you're seated and then use their other hand to flex your toes forward toward your knee. "If flexing the foot in that way triggers considerable pain, you may have a clot," says Dr. Shaw. If so, go to a hospital. Doctors can dissolve blood vessel clots with heparin, a blood-thinning drug.
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Elevate your leg. To relieve pain and swelling, says Dr. Shaw, sit in a chair with your foot propped three to six inches higher than your hips until the inflammation subsides.
Cushion your feet. At night, sleep with one pillow under your head and two pillows under your feet to elevate them properly, says Dr. Shaw.
Wear support hose. During the day, wear a good pair of support panty hose or medical support hose prescribed by your doctor, says Dr. Banse. Do not wear knee-high stockings--they interfere with circulation and aggravate the very problems you're trying to alleviate.
Move it. Once the initial pain and redness has disappeared, get moving, says Dr. Banse. Frequent walking--say, for a few minutes every hour or so--will aid circulation and prevent flare-ups. (Don't wear doctor-prescribed support hose for exercise, though--if worn while walking, medical hose can interfere with circulation, thus counteracting what you're trying to do.)
