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What Causes Pain And Discoloration At The Site Of IV Injection Shot?
Question: My husband was in the hospital with pneumonia, near the end of his stay he needed a change in his IV. They had challenges finding a vein but finally did. The night nurse, upon beginning his IV antibiotic, flushed the line first with a saline solution pretty quickly. My husband complained to her that it stung and hurt...she ignored him. He is home now, the site area, including the surrounding tissue, is very hard and looks slightly discolored. There is not much pain, my husband feels it is getting better but I am concerned if this could be dangerous. We've already had enough of a scare. We have been putting warm and cold compresses, mostly cold. Anything else we should know or do?
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
A thrombosed vein probably
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
IV lines may become useless after a few days because the veins are damaged by the catheters and the infused fluids (particularly by some drugs and potassium). The result is a thrombosed vein that won't function properly. Thrombosed veins usually get better by themselves. In the most severe presentations, a thrombosed vein might need drugs like ibuprofen (to relieve pain and inflammation). The compresses may help.
You should identify the worst scenario though, which is infection of the site of the catheter. You may see pus coming out of the wound, severe inflammation (redness, pain, warmth) and perhaps even fever. The diagnosis does not require all characteristics to be present. If this is your case then immediate medical attention is needed.
Most of the times only a few days are needed for symptoms to fully subside.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like to ask further questions, please contact me again.
Kind Regards!
A thrombosed vein probably
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
IV lines may become useless after a few days because the veins are damaged by the catheters and the infused fluids (particularly by some drugs and potassium). The result is a thrombosed vein that won't function properly. Thrombosed veins usually get better by themselves. In the most severe presentations, a thrombosed vein might need drugs like ibuprofen (to relieve pain and inflammation). The compresses may help.
You should identify the worst scenario though, which is infection of the site of the catheter. You may see pus coming out of the wound, severe inflammation (redness, pain, warmth) and perhaps even fever. The diagnosis does not require all characteristics to be present. If this is your case then immediate medical attention is needed.
Most of the times only a few days are needed for symptoms to fully subside.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like to ask further questions, please contact me again.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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