In ITP, platelets are destroyed, causing the total number of platelets in the blood to decrease. Decreased platelets can lead to bleeding or bruising.

Learn more about ITP symptoms.

Excessive Bruising

When platelet counts in the blood are low, excessive bruising may occur, as there are not enough platelets to quickly stop bleeding.

These bruises are called purpura. Minor trauma, such as bumping the skin, may cause a bruise to develop. Some bruising may develop without any known injury or cause.

Red Spots on Skin

Red spots that develop on the skin are called petechiae. These are tiny, pinpoint dots of bleeding under the skin. They typically appear in groups, may look like a rash, and are caused by broken blood vessels under the skin.

Low platelets from ITP do not allow the blood vessel wall to stop the blood from leaking.

Bleeding From Nose or Gums

Due to low platelets, bleeding may also occur from the gums in the mouth or from the nose.

Activities that normally do not cause bleeding, such as brushing the teeth or blowing the nose, may cause bleeding in someone with ITP. Small blood blisters in the mouth may also be seen.

Unusually Heavy Menstrual Flow

Women with ITP may experience heavier than normal bleeding during a menstrual cycle. This may be experienced by periods lasting longer than normal or by heavier flow during the menstrual cycle.

Blood in Urine, Stool, or Vomit

Blood that is found in the urine, stool, or in vomit may be a sign of internal bleeding.

Although rare, bleeding may occur in the:

KidneysUrinary tractStomachIntestines 

Hematoma

A lump or firm, raised area called a hematoma may develop when there is significant bleeding under the skin. This lump is a collection of clotted or partially clotted blood under the skin. 

Fatigue

Fatigue in someone living with ITP can be due to multiple reasons:

If they are experiencing bleeding, they may have tiredness and exhaustion from anemia. There may also be an underlying autoimmune disorder that has led to the development of ITP that may also cause fatigue.  

Bleeding From Head

It is very rare for someone with ITP to experience a bleed in the brain. However, there is a potential risk this could happen.

Symptoms of this would be similar to stroke symptoms, such as:

Facial droopingVision changesConfusionWeakness to one side of the bodyHeadache

When to See a Doctor or Go to the Hospital

Emergency treatment should be sought out for any bleeding that cannot quickly be stopped or is severe. If stroke-like symptoms present, these should always receive immediate medical treatment. 

Evaluation by a medical professional should be sought when excessive bruising, petechiae, or any other symptoms as listed above are present without a known cause. 

Summary

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)—a disorder in which the immune system inappropriately sees platelets as foreign in the body and destroys them—can have many different symptoms. If you experience any ITP symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care.

Unusual bleedingExcessive bruisingFatigue

It is possible for ITP to cause no symptoms at all.