Overview
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an illness that can lead to bruising and bleeding. Low levels of the cells that help blood clot, also known as platelets, most often cause the bleeding.
Once known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP can cause purple bruises. It also can cause tiny reddish-purple dots on the skin that look like a rash.
Children can get ITP after a virus. They most often get better without treatment. In adults, the illness often lasts months or years.
People with ITP who aren’t bleeding and whose platelet count isn’t too low might not need treatment. For worse symptoms, treatment might include medicines to raise platelet count or surgery to remove the spleen.
Products & Services
Symptoms
Immune thrombocytopenia might not have symptoms. When symptoms occur, they might include:
- Easy bruising.
- Bleeding into the skin that looks like tiny reddish-purple spots, also known as petechiae. The spots mostly show up on the lower legs. They look like a rash.
- Bleeding into the skin that’s larger than petechiae, also known as purpura.
- Bleeding from the gums or nose.
- Blood in urine or stools.
- Really heavy menstrual flow.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms that worry you. Bleeding that won’t stop is a medical emergency. Seek help right away if you or your child has bleeding that the usual first aid efforts can’t control. These include applying pressure to the area.
