Pain at the intravenous site may be modest or severe,
usually burning or stinging.92
There may be erythema, swelling and tenderness, and lack of blood return
from the cannula.30
Not all of these symptoms may be present.
Local blistering is indicative of at least a partial-thickness
skin injury.92 There
may also be mottling and darkening of the skin, persistent pain, and firm
induration.60,61
Early firm induration, with or without tenderness, has
been shown to be a reliable sign of eventual ulceration.92
When the full thickness of the skin is damaged, the surface
may appear very white and cold with no capillary filling,62
and later may develop a dry, black eschar.92
Ulceration is not usually evident until one or two weeks
after the injury when the eschar sloughs to reveal the underlying ulcer
cavity.92 Ulcers
have a typical necrotic, yellowish fibrotic base with a surrounding rim
of persistent erythema.92
