Symptoms Of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Superficial Bleeding Into Skin

Patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura will often experience superficial bleeding into the skin. This may be mistaken for a rash at first because rather than appearing as a liquid, the blood appears like a rash of red and purple spots underneath the skin. These pinpoint-sized spots, called petechiae, are places where blood vessels have bled unnecessarily. In the majority of cases, these spots will appear on a person's lower legs.

If you experience worrisome warning signs, it's best to get in contact with your doctor as soon as possible so they can take a look at your spots. They will also ask you about a range of other symptoms to rule out different disorders that can cause petechiae. If the petechiae exist in conjunction with any of the other common symptoms, they may order a blood test to check your platelet count.