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What to do if…
you notice increasing redness, pain or swelling around an IV site after an infusion or injection

Short answer

Call the clinic/infusion center that treated you (or your doctor’s on-call line) now and describe the worsening redness/pain/swelling; go to the ER sooner if symptoms are spreading or you feel sick.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume worsening redness/pain/swelling is “normal” and wait it out.
  • Do not massage or firmly rub the area.
  • Do not apply heat or ice unless your care team tells you to (management differs depending on what leaked and what medication was used).
  • Do not flush or use the IV/PICC/port if the site is painful, red, swollen, or leaking.
  • Do not try to drain fluid, pop blisters, or squeeze the site.

What to do now

  1. If you’re still at the facility: tell staff immediately so they can assess the site and, if needed, stop the infusion and manage the IV.
  2. If you’re already home: call the infusion center/doctor who treated you (use your discharge paperwork, patient portal, or after-hours number). Say: “My IV site is becoming more red/painful/swollen after an infusion/injection. I’m concerned about infection, phlebitis, or infiltration/extravasation.”
  3. Decide if this is emergency-level right now:
    • Call 911 for breathing problems, severe chest pain, fainting/collapse, new confusion, or other severe symptoms.
    • Go to the ER now if you have fever or chills, pus/drainage, rapidly spreading redness, red streaks, severe or escalating pain, new numbness/weakness, blistering, or the skin looks very tight, pale/blue, or unusually cold.
    • Consider urgent care only if symptoms are mild, localized, and stable (not spreading, no fever/chills, no blistering, no numbness/weakness) and you cannot quickly reach your treating team.
  4. Do a quick “track it” check (helps clinicians):
    • Use a pen to mark the outer edge of redness and write the time.
    • Take one clear photo and note whether pain is at the puncture site or tracking along the vein.
  5. Protect the arm while you’re arranging care:
    • Rest and support the limb; remove rings/watches if there’s swelling.
    • Keep any dressing clean/dry; don’t wrap anything tightly.
  6. If you have a PICC/central line/port: treat new redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or discharge at the site — or fever/chills — as “call your provider right away,” and use the ER if you can’t be promptly assessed.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to figure out the exact cause (infection vs irritation vs a leak) before seeking care.
  • You don’t need to apply creams/ointments or try home “fixes” first.
  • You don’t need to decide about reporting/complaints today—prioritize evaluation and symptom safety.

Important reassurance

It’s understandable to feel alarmed when an IV site changes after you leave. Many IV-site problems are treatable, and calling promptly when symptoms are worsening helps prevent complications.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance for the first hours after noticing worsening redness/pain/swelling at an IV or injection site. Follow-up treatment must be directed by clinicians who can examine you and review what medication/fluids were used.

Important note

This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you feel significantly unwell, symptoms are rapidly worsening, or you’re unsure what level of care you need, seek urgent medical attention.

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