After we have put in a PICC line
PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter)
After we have put in a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), you might feel slight discomfort when the local anaesthetic wears off. It is common to have an ache in the arm where we put in the PICC line.
Most people do not need any pain medicine, but you can take simple painkillers like paracetamol or your usual painkillers if needed. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label.
There might be some bruising around the area where we put in the PICC line and blood on the dressing. There is no need to worry about this.
You might have some tenderness or swelling around the area where we put in the PICC line. This is common, especially during the first week after the procedure. To help with this:
- continue to move your arm as usual
- put a warm damp cloth on the affected area as needed or until the reaction settles
- if the pain and swelling continue, contact the interventional radiology (IR) department for advice
When to get help
Most procedures to put in a PICC line do not cause any problems. However, please contact us if you have any concerns.
Contact the interventional radiology (IR) department if you notice:
- any bleeding from the area where we put in the PICC line
- a high temperature (fever) and chills, especially straight after the line is flushed with saline (a mixture of salt and pure water)
- leaking or a cracked line
- pain and swelling of the arm, neck and chest
- the PICC line looks longer than when it was first inserted
- redness and inflammation of the area where we put in the PICC line (the redness may be harder to notice on brown and black skin)
Looking after your PICC line
If you are staying in hospital, the ward nurses will look after your PICC line.
If you are not staying in hospital, district nurses can visit you at home and help you to look after the PICC line. We can also train a family member, partner or friend to help with this task. The district nurses or trained person needs to:
- clean the PICC line and the area where we put it in
- flush the PICC line with saline (a mixture of salt and pure water) once a week to prevent it from getting blocked
- change the clear dressing every week
We also have some guidance about what you can do to look after your PICC line.
Tips to look after your PICC line
Do
- Keep the clear dressing dry at all times.
- Use the plastic sleeve that we give you when you have a shower.
- When having a bath, make sure that the area where we put in the PICC line and the tip of the line do not sit in water. This helps to prevent your PICC line from getting infected.
Don't
- Do not take part in activities that involve a lot of effort or energy while the PICC line is in place. Examples are golf and tennis. Heavy activities can knock the PICC line out of position or accidentally pull it out.
Removing the PICC line
A PICC line can easily be removed. A nurse removes the dressing and gently pulls out the line. They then put gentle pressure on the area for a few minutes to prevent bleeding and cover it with a small dressing.
You should not have any bleeding or pain when the nurse removes your PICC line. The wound heals naturally. You need to take care when washing and dressing because the wound must be kept dry while it heals.
Resource number: 4256/VER4
Last reviewed: August 2023
Next review due: August 2026
A list of sources is available on request.
