Sometimes a clot is small or only partially obstructs a blood vessel, and there are no symptoms. The classic symptoms, however, are pain, swelling, tenderness to the touch along the course of the vein, redness, or, in some cases, even bluish discoloration of the affected arm or leg.
You may be able to feel the clot as a firm lump under the skin. The skin over the clot can become red, tender, and warm to the touch. Blood clots in veins close to the skin's surface usually are not serious and often can be treated at home.
They include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain while breathing in or coughing, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, feeling faint or fainting, and coughing up blood. Postphlebitic syndrome. Damage to the veins from the blood clot reduces blood flow in the affected areas.
Blood clots develop in the veins under your skin, and your veins inflame. The area may swell and become red and painful.
throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm. sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.
Blood clots usually dissolve on their own. If not, the clots can potentially lead to life-threatening situations. There are two main types of blood clots: thrombus (clot does not move) and embolus (clot breaks loose and moves). If the clot is immobile, it generally won't harm you.
This evaluation, known as Homan's Test, consists of laying flat on your back and extending the knee in the suspected leg. Have a friend or family member raise the extended leg to 10 degrees, then have them squeeze the calf. If there's deep pain in the calf, it may be indicative of DVT.
Redness on your skin
While it's true that a bruise is a type of blood clot, it's not the kind you have to worry about. You can't see a DVT. You might see some bruise-like discoloration, but you're more likely to see red. A DVT causes redness in the affected limb and makes your arm or leg feel warm to the touch.
You may have a blood clot if you see or feel: New swelling in your arm or leg. Skin redness. Soreness or pain in your arm or leg.
Signs that you may have a blood clot
leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. the affected area feeling warm to the touch.
If you suspect that you have a blood clot or experience any of the signs and symptoms, you should consider going to the ED. Signs of DVT include: Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet. Discomfort, heaviness, pain, aching, throbbing, itching, or warmth in the legs.
swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg. pain or tenderness in the leg, which you may feel only when standing or walking. increased warmth in the area of the leg that's swollen or painful. red or discolored skin on the leg.
Yes—The cramping sensations and pain that occur with DVT will persist and even worsen with time. Stretching or “walking it off” like an ordinary charley horse will not ease DVT pain or clear it up.
See your doctor right away if you have a red, swollen or tender vein — especially if you have one or more risk factors for thrombophlebitis. Call 911 or your local emergency number if: The vein swelling and pain are severe.
Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.
DVT symptoms
pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf or thigh) a heavy ache in the affected area. warm skin in the area of the clot. red skin, particularly at the back of your leg below the knee.
Following a DVT, your leg may be swollen, tender, red, or hot to the touch. These symptoms should improve over time, and exercise often helps. Walking and exercise are safe to do, but be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion.
It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling.
About 25% of people who have a PE will die suddenly, and that will be the only symptom. About 23% of people with PE will die within 3 months of diagnosis, just over 30% will die after 6 months, and there is a 37% mortality (death) rate at 1 year after being diagnosed.
Massage stimulates blood circulation, therefore can dislodge a clot, even if the point of massage is elsewhere on the body.
If you visit a vein clinic or hospital for a blood clot and blood thinners are suggested to you, taking aspirin may be an option, instead. It is not for everyone, and will not be enough in all cases, but it does have a similar effect and may work well to reduce the chances of another blood clot in the future.
Typical treatment for venous blood clots. A superficial blood clot will be symptomatically treated and involve medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Varicose Veins
When they don't work right, blood pools inside your veins. They swell and become large and rope-like. That's another difference from DVT -- the surface-level clots that come with varicose veins are uncommon and don't usually break free and travel to your lungs.