Idiopathic thromocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare bleeding disease that affects about 3 in 100,000 people in the US– or, at least, that’s how many people are diagnosed– according to SELF. Because it’s so rare, the disease goes undiagnosed, so here we are to talk about it. There are different levels of the autoimmune condition, ranging from very mild to extreme. Here’s a little rundown of the disorder, and then check out the symptoms below to make sure you’re ITP free!
ITP can be a serious disease if undiagnosed and untreated. This condition causes individuals to bleed and bruise very easily due to a lower count of platelets in the body. Platelets basically do the dirty work when it comes to blood clotting — essentially, they save your life when you accidentally scrape your knee against the coffee table. The average individual has about 150,000-450,000 platelets for every microliter of blood. People with mild cases might have roughly 100,000-110,000 platelets, which people with extreme cases might have less than 10,000. In those cases, these people may face random internal bleeding.
According to Dr. Sacher, a lot of people don’t even know they have the disorder and some may develop it later on in their lives. But lucky for you, can you get an idea right now!
1. Pinpoint-Sized Red or Purple Rash
These spots are referred to as petechiae, and this happens when capillaries (aka blood vessels) bleed and leak into your skin. You usually see them on your legs.
2. Random Nosebleeds
People are sensitive with ITP and can simply get a nosebleed from blowing it a little too hard, causing the blood vessels in ones nose to rupture. We’ve all had this happen before so don’t freak out if this happens once in a grand while. Has it happened a lot? Now, continue down the list…
3. Bleeding Gums
No silly, not the blood if you haven’t flossed in a while… signigicant blood when you have minor contact, or even no contact at all. Once again, these sensitive little blood vessels are having little eruptions. Not cool, bro.
4. Messy Surgeries
Here’s one of the more serious symptoms– people with ITP generally bleed profusely during a surgery, which can make things complicated.
5. Extremely Intense Periods
Don’t worry if heavy is normal for you, but if it’s coming out of nowhere and co-existing with other symptoms, go see a doctor stat.
6. Paper Cuts that Never End
Small cuts are no one’s idea of a good time, but do you feel like when you get a scrape the blood just. doesn’t. stop? You might want to look into what’s happening with your platelets.
7. Blood in Your “Waste”
If the toilet bowl is ever red or pink, you should get it checked. There’s numerous of potential answers to why this occurred, and definitely may not be ITP. Either way, do your thing, get some help.
8. Constant Brusing
Is your skin crazy sensitive? Friend playfully grabbed your arm and, boom, bruises for days? This can be very telling if you have ITP, whether it’s mild or intense. Or simply, you’re just prone to easy bruising and there is literally nothing wrong with you.
If you think you may have ITP, don’t trip, there are treatments and solutions to ITP. Yet make sure to get it checked out before anything gets worse. Better to do it early than waiting too late! Cheers.
Read more about it on SELF and Healthline!
