Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Bleeding or Clotting Disorders That Cause Bruising
When you cut or injure yourself, your body uses special blood cells, called platelets, and other chemicals, called clotting factors, to form a blood clot and control your bleeding. Bleeding disorders sometimes occur when the platelets or clotting factors are not working properly and do not form clots. Common bleeding or clotting disorders include:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a condition that comes on quickly. Small blood clots form and move through the bloodstream, blocking small blood vessels and using up the clotting factors that are needed to stop bleeding. Emergency treatment is needed to stop bleeding and save the person's life.
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, also known as primary or autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura), a disorder in which a low platelet count causes abnormal bleeding. The cause of ITP in adults is not known. In children, ITP may be an autoimmune disease that is triggered by a viral infection. Symptoms include red spots on the skin, unexplained bruises, bleeding from the gums and nose, and blood in the stool. The condition may appear suddenly or gradually.
- Thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare disorder in which small blood clots form throughout the body, leading to a sharp drop in the number of platelets and red blood cells. Symptoms develop suddenly and include fever, bruising, belly pain, blood in the urine, and an irregular heartbeat. A person who has symptoms of thrombocytopenic purpura needs emergency treatment.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious and often fatal disorder in which the number of platelets suddenly drops, red blood cells are destroyed, and the kidneys stop working. The cause is not known, but the syndrome may be triggered by a bacterial infection or medicine use.
- Henoch-Schonlein purpura, also known as allergic purpura, an uncommon inflammatory disease of the small blood vessels that most often affects children. The cause is not known, but it may be the result of an autoimmune disease or a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include sudden headache, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal cramping, joint pain, and bruising. Abnormal bruising is most often seen in the lower legs.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 21, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
from
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
- After chemo hair loss, 'henna crowns' help heal
The iVillage Network