Swelling from missing the vein using IV?

[temporaryforever]

I was just trying to inject into this smaller vein near my wrist that I have used before a couple of times without issue (I don't use it unless I have to) but this time, the needle slipped out of the vein while I was injecting the solution and about 1/3 of it went into the surrounding tissue and now there is a somewhat large lump there...what is the best way to get this to go down, or does it just take time for the solution to be absorbed? Was just wondering if ice or heat or something else might help it go down some. It doesn't hurt really but it's surprisingly quite large, this just happened 10 min ago and it's basically doubled in size since it first happened. Let me know if there's anything I can do for it, please. Thanks everyone!

 

[Keif' Richards]

Hi there @temporaryforever

I was gonna welcome you, but now I'm seeing you've been lurking around a little while. Either way, we can get you sorted out.

Firstly, some substances are just more caustic than others. Cocaine and Methamphetamine are especially well-known culprits for producing injection complications. A complication is more or less defined as an issue arising from an injection that does not resolve on its own in a relatively short period of time. What is par for the course following a missed injection, is about 48-72 hours of irritation and mild swelling, with a feeling of heat emanating from the injection site.

It should start to resolve within 24 hours, be getting a lot better by the 48 hour mark and should be difficult to notice by the 72 hours mark. I'm not a doctor, obviously, this is all from personal experience. The 48 hour mark is when you should be watching. If it's getting better, you've got nothing to worry about. If it's not getting better or getting worse, you're probably gonna need medical attention to be completely safe (it's likely to become a chronic infection i,e, abscess).

I generally do a warm, damp compress for 15-20 minutes at a time. The warmth stimulates movement and blood flow. It should also help with discomfort. In between warm compresses, you can feel free to use ice, but this is exclusively a treatment for the pain. You can feel free to use some OTC analgesics, as they really do help.

If it doesn't start getting better i.e. less red, less painful, less "hot", then either come back to us or go to the ER or urgent care. They can hopefully help you treat the infection without having to come back and get it lanced. If you have any questions, we're here.