Bruising or purple spots on the skin that occur very easily or for no known reasonSmall red dots that resemble a rashFrequent nosebleedsBleeding from the gumsUnusually long or heavy menstrual bleedingHematoma, or a pooling of clotted or partially clotted blood under the skin. A hematoma can cause pain and swelling.Blood in urine, stool, or vomit
Learn more about symptoms of ITP.
A complete blood count, which checks your number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and plateletsA blood smear, in which your blood is put on a slide and a doctor checks your platelet levels
In rare cases, a bone marrow test may also be performed to check if your bone marrow is making enough platelets. Your doctor may also screen you for HIV, hepatitis C, or H. pylori. They may also order an anti-platelet antibody test, yet the accuracy of these tests varies.
Treatment with an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, dexamethasone, or methylprednisolone, is usually the first line of treatment for ITP, according to the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD).These drugs can get your platelets back to safe levels but are only recommended for short-term use, as they can increase your risk of a number of health conditions, including high blood pressure, infections, and osteoporosis, according to the Mayo Clinic.Immune Globulin If your body doesn’t respond to corticosteroids, your doctor may recommend immune globulin. According to NORD, this medication is administered through an IV on an as-needed basis, usually two to four weeks.Immune globulin can be used in an emergency if you have critical bleeding or need to up your platelet levels right away, according to the Mayo Clinic.Drugs to Raise Platelet Count Certain medication can boost platelet production, including Nplate (romiplostim), Promacta (eltrombopag), and Rituxan and Truxima (rituximab), according to the Mayo Clinic.
In severe cases of ITP or when there is little response to medication therapy, surgery to remove the spleen may be needed. This procedure is called a splenectomy.
The spleen is an organ responsible for making antibodies that fight infections. When an individual has ITP, these antibodies attack platelets by mistake. Removing the spleen may help get platelets back to a normal level, although effectiveness is variable and estimated to be 50 to 70 percent compared with nonsurgical treatment. Learn more about treatment for ITP. Avoid contact sports that can lead to head injuries, such as boxing, football, and karate. Generally, swimming, cycling with a helmet, and walking are considered safe forms of physical activity. If you have any signs of an infection, especially a fever, call your doctor right away. Getting prompt treatment can help prevent complications.
