Pain at Blood draw site

[SarahB79]

Silly question.... recently I've visited the lab fairly frequently for tests and retests... I never really have problems with the blood draws.  Unless you coun't that one time the tech was digging around for a vein inside my arm!  OUCH...

Anyhow, today I had one stick that seemed flawless.  However the area is now very swollen and VERY tender to the touch at the site and several inches away from the site.  It's starting to bruise as well.  I've had bruising before though...

Is the swelling and pain something I should be concerned about?  

[caregiver222]

Actually your condition is not due to thrombophlebitis. The technician incompetently inserted the needle and punctured the wall of the vein and blood leaked out into the surrounding tissue. I do agree with the cold compresses. Usually this happens when a doctor does the job insteadof a nhurse.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Your symptoms are suggestive of thrombophlebitis. This is a condition of inflammation of veins that may also be associated with blood clot formation in the vein.It is fairly common after IV placement.

It should go on its own.Apply some cold compresses on the site and take some over the counter non steroidal anti inflammatory pain killers like ibuprofen or diclofenac. In some cases however the phlebitis can become infected. This can be a very serious problem needing urgent treatment with antibiotics.So pls look out for any fever or lymph node enlargement.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries.