Introduction
An inflammation of the veins (thrombophlebitis) describes the inflammation of the venous blood vessels. This inflammation can occur in the superficial veins as well as in the deeper lying veins. Depending on which vein is affected and which other symptoms accompany the inflammation, the duration of the disease can range from a few days to several weeks.
Especially the inflammation of the superficial veins usually subsides after a few days and recedes without further complications. If deeper veins are affected and the inflammation leads to the formation of a thrombosis (blood clot), the duration of the disease can extend to several weeks. In this case, an inpatient hospital stay is usually also necessary in order to carry out the treatment successfully. In general, the shorter the duration of the disease, the faster the cause of the phlebitis is found and treated.
This is how long the symptoms of phlebitis last
The symptom of phlebitis is usually a feeling of pain or pressure on the affected skin area. This usually occurs quickly after the start of the phlebitis. Since the cause of the phlebitis is decisive, the duration of the symptoms is also very variable.
If it is a harmless phlebitis, the symptoms usually subside within a few hours or days. However, if the course is more serious, for example, in conjunction with thrombosis, the symptoms can last for several days or even weeks. After the start of treatment, the symptoms usually improve quickly.
Adequate pain therapy can alleviate the symptoms after a short time. Other symptoms, such as reddening of the affected skin area, can also be observed in phlebitis. If this is related to a bacterial infection, this redness usually does not disappear until after antibiotic treatment.
If the cause of the inflammation was caused by an intravenous vascular access, e.g. for the administration of an infusion, the symptoms usually subside quickly as soon as the vascular access is removed. In principle, most symptoms improve if supportive treatment in the form of cooling measures and anti-inflammatory ointments is carried out. The most important factor in shortening the duration of symptoms is that the cause is found and treated quickly.
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