A normal bruise tends to heal after around two to four weeks. Therefore, if a bruise lasts for more than four weeks , we recommend getting it checked by your GP. As with most of the symptoms of leukaemia, bruising is caused by a deficiency of healthy blood cells within the bone marrow.
The bone marrow is a spongy tissue found in the centre of some of your bones. It contains stem cells which develop into all the various blood cells. In leukaemia, the bone marrow starts to produce an excess amount of abnormal or un-developed cancerous white blood cells. One blood cell type that can be crowded out by the rapidly dividing leukaemic blood cells are the platelets. Platelets are small cell fragments that flow through the blood and are responsible for causing blood to clot after you injure yourself.
Therefore, if you have leukaemia, you are more likely to bruise because your body is unable to produce enough platelets to plug up your bleeding blood vessels. Healthy adults will have between , and , platelets in every microlitre of their blood; any less than this will cause bleeding. These small red spots are actually very small bruises that cluster so that they look like a rash.
They can be purple, red or brown in colour and usually they occur on the arms, legs and stomach, but they can also be found on the inside of your mouth and around your eyes.
The spots are caused by damage to very small blood vessels in the skin called capillaries. Due to a lack of platelets, people with leukaemia cannot properly seal these damaged blood vessels so that small amounts of blood leak into the skin.
Normally, petechiae is harmless and is caused by physical strains to the body. For example, hard coughing, vomiting and crying can cause petechiae to occur in the face. Persistent unexplained lymph node enlargement can be an indication that abnormal white blood cells are building up in the lymph glands, points out Bloor.
If you discover a new lump or swelling which does not go away after a few days, then the recommendation is to seek medical attention so that it can be thoroughly assessed.
It could be an early indicator of blood cancer. Bruise like a peach? Some people just do bruise more easily than others.
And if you're on medication such as aspirin, steroids or blood thinners, this might well explain it. Ditto if your tendency to bruise has increased with age - as skin becomes thinner over time.
Low platelet levels can also lead to tiny pinprick bruises, especially on your lower legs. These symptoms can be associated with all forms of blood cancer, but are most often linked to leukaemia," Bloor reveals. Losing weight without really trying to may sound like a stroke of luck, but conversely, it could be a red flag. Bloor says: "Losing weight as a consequence of dieting is expected. However, if an individual experiences significant, unexplained weight loss without actively trying to do this, then this could be a cause for concern and needs to be investigated further.
Unexplained weight loss has many causes, although it can be a sign of underlying disease, including blood cancer, and should be investigated. You shouldn't feel like you're always sick. See your GP if you seem to be getting every bug going. Bloor says: "Minor Infections such as coughs and colds are common, especially in the winter months. Patients with blood cancers often have a weak immune system as a consequence of the disease, which predisposes to infections.
Therefore, if you develop persistent or recurring infection then it would be advisable to speak to your doctor to get this investigated. Depending on the form your rash is taking, your doctors should be able to recommend products that will help alleviate some of the symptoms. Protect the area from heat and cold and stay out of the sun — sun, heat, and cold can make the rash worse. MyLeukemiaTeam is the social network for people who have been diagnosed with leukemia and their loved ones.
Members come together to ask questions, offer support and advice, and share stories with others who understand life with leukemia. Have you experienced rashes or bruising with leukemia?
Share your experience in the comments below or by posting on MyLeukemiaTeam. I had to have my PIC removed from my right arm and placed in the left. I've developed a rash on only my right arm. It looks like the picture indicated for Sweets Syndrome.
I have very sensitive… read more. Connect with others who are living with leukemia. Get members only access to emotional support, advice, treatment insights, and more. Not now, thanks. Connect with others who understand. Medically reviewed by Todd Gersten, M. Article written by Sarah Winfrey. A MyLeukemiaTeam Member said:. Todd Gersten, M. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Learn more about him here. Sarah Winfrey is a writer at MyHealthTeams. Learn more about her here. Oral Therapy vs. Stages of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia AML , also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is the most common type Fatigue, Bruising, and Telehealth: Dr.
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