Dr. Anil Singhvi, MD · 35+ years · Founded Madhya Pradesh's first hematology centreConsult in person in Indore, or by video call.
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Easy bruising and bleeding caused by low platelets. Careful diagnosis separates harmless causes from serious ones — and guides the right treatment.
Dr. Anil Singhvi, MD · 35+ years · Founded Madhya Pradesh's first hematology centreConsult in person in Indore, or by video call.
Purpura refers to purple spots and bruises on the skin caused by bleeding from small vessels, most often due to a low platelet count. The commonest cause is immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), in which the body's own immune system destroys platelets. Infections such as dengue, certain medicines, and bone marrow disorders can also lower platelets.
ITP is very treatable. Many patients need only monitoring; others respond well to medicines, and newer drugs now help even long-standing, difficult cases — often avoiding the need for spleen removal. Patients who have suffered for years frequently achieve safe, stable platelet counts with the right treatment.
A complete blood count and examination of the blood smear are the first steps. We rule out other causes — infections, medicines, liver disease, and marrow problems — with targeted tests; a bone marrow examination is done only when needed. ITP is diagnosed after excluding these other causes.
Treatment depends on the platelet count and bleeding, not the number alone. Options include observation, steroids, and IVIg for rapid control, and newer agents such as thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (like eltrombopag) and rituximab for persistent cases. With modern medicines, splenectomy is rarely required. Our clinic has successfully treated chronic ITP patients who had not responded elsewhere.
This information is for general education and is not a substitute for a consultation. Every patient is unique — the right treatment can only be decided after proper evaluation.
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“Within 4 months my platelets were maintained at 2.5 lakh and all treatment was stopped. Dr. Singhvi has saved my life!”
— Dharmendra Singh · Low platelets (ITP)
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