Phlebitis - will corded veins heal?

[swang]

An IV 24G/0.75" has been placed for about 48 hours and removed, however the vein which the IV was in has turned into a cord-like structure. About a month has passed and the vein is still hard and cord-like. Will this vein heal completely and become normal again? How long does it usually take for this to happen?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

first post! :wlcmblks: to allnurses.

phlebitis causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention ...

phlebitis in the superficial veins is rarely serious and usually responds to pain control, elevation, and warm compresses for one to two weeks

i.v. essentials: complications of peripheral i.v. therapy

standard recommendation is applying warm washcloth compress (can wrap arm/hand with plastic wrap to keep on and retain warm heat longer) 2-3 times day until cord resolves usually within 2 weeks. if iv infusion had irritant drug, may take longer to heal. some of my homecare patients have taken up to 6-8 weeks to heal from some drugs and chemo with a scant few have permanent hardening of the vein.

since a month has past, please seek advice from your primary care practitioner as per our terms of service we are unable to offer individual medical advice.

[swang]

Do you know why the vein hardened up? It is hard both proximal and distal to the IV site, however there is no pain, redness nor swelling, its only hard.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Yes chemical and/or mechanical irritation..can be a combo of both

[swang]

I saw a naturalpath and she recommended something called Nattokinase, which is somewhat similar to plasmin. Im giving that a shot and will see how it goes.