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What Causes Hard Lump At The Site Of Injection?

Posted on Mon, 17 Aug 2015

Question: Hello. I diid some blood work today. A few hours ago. They tried both arms and now i have a hard lump at the spot where they drew blood on my left arm and a
Lump at site of vein on left arm where blood was drawn. Red area on right arm where they tried to draw blood unsuccessfully. Is this phlebitis or infection on either arm? Please advise. I am freaking about. I can send photos if useful. Other info - I had IV in my left arm. Went to ER for unrelated issue. For Gallbladder pain.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hematoma

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The hard lump could be collection of blood under the skin known as hematoma. It tends to dissolve on its own, you will only have to apply ice packs on it

Please attach a photo so that I can be of better help

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (14 minutes later)

I am not sure how to attach a photo from the website. I can do it from the app. But not sure it will find its way to you or another doctor?
Is a hematoma a blood clot?

I read catheters can cause blood clots and even DVT. Is an IV a catheter? I have never had an IV before. Very worried.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not DVT

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back

Hematoma is a blood clot but it is within the skin.
IV catheters can cause DVT but DVT caused by IV catheter is of concern only when it is placed into a central vein like jugular or femoral. Peripheral veins are small and these thombus gets dissolved on its own.

Please apply ice packs over the area.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 minute later)

This is a picture of swollen vein in arm where blood was drawn and iv inserted. Not sure this is going to same doctor who replied earlier.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hematoma

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I have seen the photo you have attached, the swelling plus discolouration points towards a hematoma. It will get better on its own, it might take a week. The discoloration might deepen and also spread for a couple of days.

regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 minutes later)

Any chance this hematoma develop into deep vein thrombosis? Central veins are not present in the arms?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Venous thrombosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Arms only contain peripheral veins. Central veins are just the ones around the heart. Hematoma won't cause dvt

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (3 minutes later)

Is venous thrombosis same as phlebitis?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Not the same

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Phelbitis is inflammation of the vein whereas thrombosis is blockage of the vein with thrombus ( aggregation of platelets )

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 minutes later)

So what I have is less serious than phlebitis? I am trying to understand what the complications might be from this hematoma venous thrombosis and if what was the IV that caused it or the drawing of blood?

I also sent you picture of my right arm. Did you receive it?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Technique

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I have received the other photo as well. They would have used a normal syringe, it could be that the technique was not proper or that your veins were hard to locate
There won't be long term complications. Make sure that the area is clean and watch out for fever

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 minutes later)

Vein was hard to locate and only provided half a tube of blood, so nurse stopped and drew blood from left arm instead.

Is the right arm (red area) an infection now? Or could develop into an infection?

Should i put anything on it, like polysporin or Fucidin?

Should I put a bandage?

Right arm is red and slightly swollen. Left arm, where IV was inserted, is less discoloured but more swollen.

Any significance to this difference?

is it hematoma on right art mas well or something else?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hematoma

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back

I am sorry for the short delay in my reply. I was on my morning rounds of the in patients

Apply Heparin sodium ointment over it, most of the times it will settle on its own without any intervention

Please upload another photo I will take a look at it

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar