It is unlikely that itchy skin will occur on its own as a symptom of leukaemia. Knowing what other symptoms are typical of leukaemia is crucial for helping you to make the decision to visit your GP sooner for a blood test.
Connect the dots between the symptoms of leukaemia and spot leukaemia sooner. For information on the other symptoms of leukaemia, click here. Acute promyelocytic leukaemia APL is a blood cancer, which affects the myeloid cells, which include red blood cells, platelets and some white blood cells.
Can itchy skin be a sign of leukaemia? Spotting the difference It is very difficult to differentiate between itching that is due to leukaemia or another cancer and itching that is caused by a benign condition such as a skin allergy. Not associated with a visible rash or dry skin Most of the time, itching can be clearly tied to a rash, indicating an infection, allergic response, or chronic skin condition such as eczema.
Itching occurs alongside other symptoms of leukaemia Leukaemia patients with itchy skin often also report experiencing night sweats as a symptom before their diagnosis; both of these symptoms can become more severe at night.
What causes itchy skin in leukaemia? Itchy skin in other blood cancers As well as leukaemia, two other blood cancers are distinctly notorious for causing itchy skin: lymphoma and polycythaemia vera PV.
Polycythaemia Vera PV PV, classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm, is a slow growing blood cancer that causes too many red blood cells to be produced. When should I be concerned? Find a Support Group Meet with others who have been or are going through a similar journey to you.
Theories include:. Dry skin can be caused by health problems, such as diabetes or kidney disease, or by living in a cold, dry climate.
Older people tend to bruise more easily and are also prone to having dry, itchy skin. A bruise can appear to be itchy if the bruise itself was caused by scratching an underlying rash, lesion, or lump caused by something else.
A bug bite , such as a mosquito, fire ant, chigger , tick, or flea bite can make you scratch excessively. This is because your body reacts to the venom or other proteins that insects inject into you.
If you scratch the skin too hard, you can cause injury to the skin and bruising. The bug bite and the bruised area will continue to itch until your body stops reacting to the bite. Certain tick species can also cause an itchy rash that resembles a bruise.
Other symptoms of leukemia include:. Inflammatory breast cancer can look like bruising on the breast. Your breast may also feel tender and warm, and you may find a lump on or near the breast. The breast may itch as well, especially near the nipple. Certain types of liver diseases, including liver cancer and cirrhosis scarring of the liver, can also lead to itchy skin and bruising. Other symptoms of liver diseases include:. Medications, including chemotherapy and antibiotics, may also cause both itchy skin and easy bruising.
In most cases, bruises go away on their own without care. The body will reabsorb the blood within a few days. The reason why a bruise may itch as it heals is unclear, but there are a few theories. A bruise that itches as it heals is likely no cause for concern. When closer to the surface of the skin, the hematoma appears as a painful lump that is initially red, black, or blue. As hematomas break down and absorb the firm collection of blood, they eventually change to yellow or brown. Hematomas can become quite large and collect enough blood to cause low blood pressure and shock.
Very large hematomas, like those that develop within the muscular wall of the abdomen, can cause organs to shift or stop working properly. Healing time for a hematoma can range from weeks to months. The most dangerous types of hematomas affect the brain and skull.
Since the skull is a closed-off area, blood can become trapped inside the skull and put pressure on the brain. This may result in brain damage, coma, or death. There are two types of skull hematomas:. Symptoms of a potential intracranial hematoma include:. Paralysis, seizures , and loss of consciousness are the most serious symptoms of a skull hematoma. Anyone with a head injury who is experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention right away. Head injuries need to be closely monitored to allow for prompt surgical intervention, if needed.
Both bruises and hematomas occur when a force usually a blunt one directly strikes the skin causing one or more blood vessels to break open. Trauma from car accidents, sports injuries, falls, and medical procedures or surgeries are typical causes. Orthopedic injuries and fractures broken bones may also cause bruising or a hematoma. There are also factors that increase a person's chances of forming bruises or hematomas.
One major one is advanced age. As you age, your skin thins and becomes more fragile, making you more prone to bruising. Likewise, older individuals are at a higher risk for developing hematomas, especially subdural hematomas, even with a minor injury. There are also various health problems that increase your risk of bruising or developing hematomas.
In their own unique ways, these conditions impair the ability of injured blood vessels to stop bleeding:. Certain medications can also make you more likely to bruise or develop a hematoma, such as:.
While trauma is the primary cause, certain factors increase a person's risk for developing bruises and hematomas. Some of these include advanced age, taking medications that impair blood clotting, and having an underlying bleeding disorder. Most of the time, doctors can diagnose a bruise or hematoma just by looking at it during a physical examination. In the case of a skull hematoma or one inside the body, an imaging test like a computed tomography CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging MRI is usually required.
For suspected bone bruises, an X-ray may be ordered to evaluate for fractures. An MRI may be used to examine the bruise or to check for microfractures. Bruises resolve on their own, but may benefit from treatment to speed-up healing and reduce discomfort. For the vast majority of bruises and for small, close-to-the-surface hematomas, treatment involves the R. E method rest, ice, compression, elevation. Specifically, the steps of this method include:.
For any discomfort or pain associated with your bruise or hematoma, your doctor may recommend taking Tylenol acetaminophen. Hematomas that are pressing on a nerve or blood vessel or causing tissue damage may require surgical drainage or removal.
Keep in mind that drainage of any hematoma must occur relatively soon after it has formed before the liquid blood becomes more firm and solid. Surgery may also be needed to repair any related organ damage, if applicable.
Bed rest and observation may be all that is needed for smaller skull hematomas. For large skull hematomas, the surgeon may need to drill a hole in the patient's skull to drain the trapped blood—what's known as burr hole surgery.
The drain may be left in place for a couple of days while the patient is being closely monitored in the hospital. Alternatively, a craniotomy may be performed. During this surgery, a part of the skull bone is temporarily taken out in order to remove the trapped blood. A drain may be placed for a couple of days to help get rid of excess blood or fluid. Most bruises and hematomas can be treated with the R.
Bruises and hematomas are caused by trauma or a bodily injury. A key difference between them is that bruises result from injury to smaller blood vessels whereas hematomas result from injury to larger ones. Where bruises remain flat, hematomas form firm lumps or masses because of the blood that pools and becomes trapped. Hematomas also generally take longer to heal than bruises and can be dangerous if they form on the skull or any internal organ.
Most bruises and superficial hematomas can be diagnosed during a physical exam and treated with the R. Skull, extensive, or deeper hematomas may require imaging and surgery. Developing a small hematoma under your nail or a bruise on your shin may be uncomfortable and not look great, but know that it will eventually heal.
That said, be sure to seek out medical attention if your bruise or hematoma is very painful, associated with serious trauma, or you have signs of an associated skin infection e.
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