Superficial vein thrombosis is where a vein becomes inflamed right under the skin. This inflammation is most often seen in the legs. It is not uncommon for blood clots to form in the veins in connection with this condition. Thankfully, in most cases, neither the blood clot nor the superficial vein thrombosis is extremely serious.
While the vein is inflamed, there can be some pain and discomfort. It is important to clarify that the superficial nature of this form of thrombosis makes it a different and drastically less serious condition than deep vein thrombosis.
In some rare instances, individuals may experience complications resulting from blood clots extending further up the vein. When this happens, and especially when the clot reaches to the place where a superficial vein and a larger, deeper vein meet, this can result in deep vein thrombosis.
What is a Superficial Vein?
For most people, the idea of a superficial vein is a new thing to think about. Superficial veins are the ones that you can see through your skin, or the ones that you can feel when you touch parts of your body. While superficial vein thrombosis usually occurs in the leg, it can occur in any superficial vein in your body. There is a link between varicose veins and superficial vein thrombosis. Both of these conditions are common in pregnant women.
What Causes Superficial Thrombosis?
The medical community does not know exactly what causes this form of thrombosis. In many individuals, it seems to appear out of the blue. In some instances, a minor injury to the vein may cause the inflammation.
If you have varicose veins, your veins may be more prone to the minor injuries that can lead to inflammation. Additionally, individuals who are hospitalized and have received an IV or intravenous drips may find themselves with this form of inflammation. There is also a link between intravenous illicit drug use and the development of superficial thrombosis.
Individuals who are taking medication that increases the amount of clotting factors in their blood may be prone to this infirmity as well. This would include individuals who take oral contraceptives, who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy, who smoke and who are pregnant.
Treating Superficial Vein Thrombosis
In most cases, superficial vein thrombosis can be effectively treated with the right medication. However, it all depends on the unique situation. That’s why we encourage you to schedule a consultation with the experts at Canada Vein Clinics. We can assess your condition and come up with a customized treatment plan for you.
Canada Vein Clinics has offices in Toronto, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Ottawa, Kanata, Orleans, Kawartha Lakes, Halifax, Dartmouth and Moncton. Contact us today to book an appointment!
