What Not to Do After IV Drip?

Individuals who are interested in IV therapy are mostly curious about the effects associated with the treatment. In turn, this often results in IV aftercare being left out of the conversation. Taking precautions is essential to aftercare, so exploring what not to do after IV drip becomes as important as knowing what to do.

This article focuses on what practices are best to avoid after receiving IV therapy. It goes into the medical background of these recommendations and explains proper aftercare and how to avoid common complications.

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What Not to Do After IV Drip?

While the post-care of IV therapy is straightforward, ensuring the patients are familiar with what not to do after IV drip therapy is essential to their well-being. After the IV session ends, a trained medical practitioner removes the catheter.

Medical personnel have years of experience, are properly trained, and can safely remove the catheter. This applies both to those who find themselves in a hospital setting and individuals who opt for mobile IV Arizona. 

Other aspects are also involved in IV therapy aftercare. Read through the following and learn about what practices are best to avoid: 

Wearing tight clothing 

You might have noticed that patients are always wearing nightgowns or comfortable clothing in hospital settings. While this is practical for individuals who remain mostly in bed, other reasons are also involved. No matter if the IV is administered in a hospital setting or within the comfort of your home, covering the IV site with tight clothing or accessories is not advisable once the treatment is finished. 

Scratching the IV site 

The IV insertion site might feel sore after the treatment, and the natural response of most individuals would be to inspect it by touching it around or even scratching it. However, medical professionals advise on restraining such actions. Still, if the site where the cannula was administered appears inflamed or swollen, it is best to contact your physician as soon as possible. 

Smoking and drinking 

Alcohol and cigarettes are not the best choices after getting IV therapy; on the contrary, they can be some of the worst. As with any surgical procedure that requires IV insertion, smoking, and drinking are frowned upon both prior to and after the treatment. The list of reasons for such recommendations is long, and those who'd like to learn more about it can review the sections below.

Physical activities 

IV vitamin therapy is popular among athletes who seek enhanced recovery. They often invest in IV infusions in order to minimize inflammation and pain associated with heavy workouts. However, it’s worth mentioning that immediate exercise and physical activities should be avoided. The main reason for this is that exercise might strain the arm where the IV catheter was inserted. No matter if you are an athlete or a gym enthusiast, keep in mind that some downtime is necessary. 

Water exposure 

One of the things that your physician will likely emphasize is the importance of keeping the IV site dry at all times. Exposure to water carries the risk of infection, which can result in inflammation, swelling, or even crusting of the skin around the IV insertion site. Applying the IV site with creams and lotions is another practice you should avoid.

Why You Should Avoid These Actions

Each of the practices that are best to avoid after IV therapy has a logical, medical explanation in its background. For instance, wearing tight clothing is not recommended due to the risk of limiting blood flow to the IV site. 

Since IV therapy is most commonly inserted in the arm, physicians usually advise minimizing the strain you put on the affected arm. Some also like to point out that it’s best to avoid wearing a tight watch or any type of tight jewelry.

It's also worth mentioning that some practices, such as drinking alcohol before the infusion, may hinder the effect of the IV infusion. However, consuming alcohol is also not recommended after the therapy session as it may dehydrate the body and distort the senses and perception. Being able to recognize possible side effects after the infusion is crucial, and alcohol may prevent you from doing so.

Other possible complications 

Developing a bruise from an IV needle might happen among patients; however, in some cases, the bruising or swelling may persist or even worsen. If this happens, contacting a medical professional and explaining your condition is best. Regularly inspecting the IV area is important as the initial symptoms of an infection may worsen over time. 

It’s recommended to call your physician if the skin around the IV insertion points behind peels or turns red or dark. Blisters and bruises surrounding the area are also an alert. 

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Tips for Post-IV Care

It is best to keep the insertion site clean and dry to eliminate any unwanted IV site infections. A band-aid is applied to the insertion site after the treatment is complete. 

Healthcare providers might also recommend applying either warm or cold compress two to three times per day. For more precise post-treatment instructions, it's best to contact a licensed physician or reach out to your IV therapy provider. 

Overall, being gentle with the IV site the following day is preferable. Resuming normal day activities is entirely possible. In some cases, a physician might advise resting and taking it slow. This usually happens when a medical condition dictates so. However, unless your medical professional specifies this, there is no need to abstain from your daily routine.

Conclusion

Years of experience in the medical field can teach you that advising patients on what not to do after an IV drip is just as important as educating them on post-IV care. For example, most patients are likely clueless about the negative effects that wearing tight clothing or drinking alcohol might bring. Additionally, while complications are rare, ensuring the patient is informed about what signs mustn't be ignored is essential. 

Educating patients on proper post-IV care may reduce the risk of infections and other complications. Highlighting the significance of ensuring the IV site remains clean and dry and offering warm and cold compress instructions can add great value.