Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is also known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and immune thrombocytopenia. It is an immune disorder that is caused due to a low level of platelets. Platelets are required for blood clot formation. Insufficient platelets can lead to excessive bleeding if you are injured and you bleed. A normal person has a platelet count of 150,000 to 450,000. However, a person with ITP has a platelet count that is less than 100,000. Sometimes people don’t experience any early warning signs of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) while others might experience some symptoms.

The early warning signs of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) depend on the type of ITP you have. There are two types of ITP: acute ITP and chronic ITP. The symptoms of each of these are different and can signify different stages of ITP.

Acute ITP symptoms develop suddenly. In adults, the common symptoms are purple or red rashes. This is often in the leg or arm areas. Adults can experience other symptoms such as bruising after a small injury or even without any injury. You might notice that your nose bleeds frequently. Adults can notice bloody gums or blood blisters on their lips. Children can have acute ITP as a result of a viral infection. The symptoms may take up to three weeks in children to appear. Acute ITP is common in children aged between two to six years. Symptoms might go away in a few weeks or less than six months.

Chronic ITP symptoms include having cuts that don’t heal fast. You might notice that more blood is oozing when you have a cut. You might notice another symptom of ITP which is bruising. This bruising might be unexplained because even if you don’t have an injury you can have bruises. If you had dental work done then you might notice that you have prolonged bleeding that doesn’t heal. Women might experience heavy menstrual periods or periods that last for longer than normal. Chronic ITP symptoms last for at least six months. Some symptoms might last for a lifetime or up to a few years.

Young women are at a higher risk of developing ITP. Some diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and antiphospholipid syndrome increase the risk of developing ITP. ITP is diagnosed with blood tests that detail your blood count. Depending on symptoms, your doctor might evaluate you with other tests. A blood smear test might be required and your doctor can order a bone marrow test. Bone marrow can indicate whether the low number of platelets are caused due to another disease. That is, if there are abnormalities in the bone marrow test then the cause of low platelet count is not ITP.

ITP can occur in a person of any age. You need to make sure that the moment you recognize any of the early warning signs of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), you contact your doctor. ITP is not life-threatening in most cases. It can be treated with medications or surgery. Pregnant women have different treatment options depending on the platelet count. Lifestyle changes can be recommended by your doctor to ensure no complications occur when you have ITP. In the case of an emergency when severe ITP occurs, anti-D treatments or transfusions may be necessary.