Care at Home after an Extravasation Injury

What is an extravasation injury?

An extravasation injury happens when some of the medicine leaks out of the vein and into the surrounding tissue. The medicine may irritate your skin and tissues, causing swelling or reddness in the area. Sometimes there might be more serious damage, such as ulcers or blisters.

What to do at home?

Your team has already started treatment for the injury. You need to continue this at home.

You will also be given follow up appointments to monitor your injury.

Treatment guidelines

The treatments below are used to reduce swelling and irritation. They also reduce the chance of more damage.

Only use the treatment that has a tick.

Watch and protect the injury

The injury needs to be protected and watched closely for a few days or weeks:

• Look at the area around the injury every day to see if there are any changes (e.g. change in colour, blistering or peeling).
• Do not rub or scratch the area.
• Do not wear tight clothing over the area.
• Protect the area from sunlight.
• Raise the injured arm on a pillow if this helps.
• Exercise/move the injured arm gently.
• Do not use any creams or lotions on the area without asking your doctor or clinic first.

Put a cold pack on the affected area

When to use this treatment

Repeat the treatment every 6 hours (during waking hours) for the first 2 days.

How to use the treatment

1. Take a cold pack and make sure the outside of it is dry. You can use a plastic bag to cover it, if needed.
2. Put a thin, clean cloth (e.g. tea towel) over the injured area or around the cold pack.
3. Place the cold pack on the injured area and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.

Put a warm pack on the affected area

When to use this treatment

Repeat the treatment every 6 hours (during waking hours) for the first 2 days.

How to use the treatment

1. Take a warm pack and make sure the outside of it is dry. You can use a plastic bag to cover it, if needed.
2. Put a thin, clean cloth (e.g. tea towel) over the injured area or around the warm pack.
3. Place the warm pack on the injured area and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.

Go to the nearest emergency department, if:

• you have a temperature of 38°C or higher
• you have severe pain or feel unwell
• the injury gets worse such as increased redness, swelling or blistering

Make sure to bring along the oncology card that was provided to you at the beginning of your treatment.

For all non-emergency related concerns,

please call the direct infusion center number or e-mail

Phone: 02 501 9218

Email: [email protected]