ICD-10: I80Circulatory System DiseasesGeneral Severity
Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis
Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein, and thrombophlebitis is when that inflammation is caused by a blood clot inside a vein.
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Find CardiologistsClinical Overview
Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis happen when a vein—the tube that carries blood back to your heart—becomes irritated or blocked by a blood clot. While phlebitis is just the swelling or inflammation of the vein wall, adding a clot makes it thrombophlebitis.
These conditions most commonly affect the veins in your legs, though they can happen in the arms or neck. When a clot forms, it can slow down or stop normal blood flow, causing the vein to become tender, red, and swollen as your body reacts to the blockage.
Common Symptoms
- Visible redness or discoloration on the skin over the vein.
- A noticeable cord-like or hard feeling under the skin where the vein is located.
- Tenderness or pain that feels worse when you touch or press on the area.
- Swelling in the leg or arm where the vein is inflamed.
- Warmth or heat radiating from the skin over the affected vein.