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

What to do now

1. If the IV, cannula, or line is still in place, stop using it. If you are still in hospital, clinic, or a day unit, tell a nurse immediately. If you are at home, call the ward, infusion unit, day unit, community IV team, or advice number on your discharge paperwork.
2. Use emergency help for severe symptoms. Call 999 now if you have trouble breathing, severe chest pain, collapse or fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening swelling of the arm, neck, or face.
3. Get urgent same-day medical advice for serious site changes. Use NHS 111, A&E, or your treating team urgently if you have fever, shaking chills, pus or drainage, rapidly spreading redness, red streaks, severe or escalating pain, new numbness or weakness in the hand, or skin that is blistered, very tight, pale, blue, unusually cold, or turning darker.
4. Give the exact words when you call. Say: “My IV or cannula site is getting more red, painful, or swollen after an infusion or injection. I am worried about infection or medicine leaking into the tissue.”
5. While waiting for advice, protect the area. Rest and support the limb on a pillow, remove rings or watches from that arm if it is swelling, keep any dressing clean and dry, and avoid tight clothing over the site.
6. Do a quick record if it does not delay help. Take one clear photo, note the time, and mark the edge of the redness lightly with a pen so you can tell whether it is spreading.
7. If this followed chemotherapy or cancer treatment, use the oncology or chemotherapy advice number urgently. Tell them what was given if you know. If you do not have a number or cannot get through, use NHS 111 or A&E and say it followed chemotherapy or cancer treatment.