<p>Extravasations – pain at the intravenous site and local blistering – are caused by the leakage of fluids used in chemotherapy from blood vessels into surrounding tissue. Although the condition is rare, occurring in 0.1-1 per cent of all chemotherapy treatments, it can be extremely debilitating and requires immediate intervention from those administering chemotherapy. Although not normally considered to be a vesicant (causes blistering when applied to the skin), this article adds to recent evidence that the commonly used chemotherapy drug, docetaxel, should be considered as a superficial vesicant and special precautions taken to minimise extravasation hazards.</p>