ITP and body piercing?

I was diagnosed as having Purpura as a baby. During my childhood (I'm now 35) this changed to ITP, Thrombocytopenia and Thrombasthenia. The diagnosis changed so much throughout that, since becoming an adult and no longer my parents bearing responsibility for me medically, I haven't a clue which I was last diagnosed with. A phone call earlier today to the local Pathology Lab revealed that I had been discharged since 2001 and that I have to contact my GP for a referral, which I have now done.

When I was 18, I pierced my own ears, with minimal swelling and no bruising. The problem is that my platelet condition (last I heard was described as Low Platelet Count but with a Platelet Dysfunction?) hasn't caused me hospitalisation/transfusions etc since I don't fight at school and the usual school-age "dangers" no longer apply, other than I can't take Aspirin.

Now, a friend has offered to pay for me to have my tongue pierced. When she offered, the platelet condition came back into my head immediately, which had me googling for "platelet disorders and body piercings" which pretty much generated nothing - various related searches ended up with me finding this place.

I'm aware there are risks associated with tongue piercing normally, but what impact would it have on me? Is there anyone here who has already had a tongue piercing with a low platelet count? What could happen? (haemorrhage?)

If anyone can advise, I'd be most grateful.

Hey, whats your platelet count now?
My heama told me there that with my platelets at 70 I could be operated on if it was needed.

Hi, I've absolutely no idea to be fair, since I haven't had a count done since I was around 16. Prior to that, I'd been down to 25k (I think) and needed transfusion but that was after a bang to the head and I haemorrhaged - thhead went lightbulb shaped. The problem I have, from what I can recall, is that whatever number of platelets I have, a portion of them don't function properly.

well definately dont do anything untill you have your platelet count done and good talk with your docor about the risks of what it is you have, am sure they will have your history on file. I think though that if it was me I would air on the side of caution.

shen08 wrote: well definately dont do anything untill you have your platelet count done and good talk with your docor about the risks of what it is you have, am sure they will have your history on file. I think though that if it was me I would air on the side of caution.

That was my thinking. I've an appointment with the GP next week and he should refer me back to Haematology. So no piercing til after that. Will be interesting to see what my platelet count is!

Good luck with that, let me know how it goes.
I really want a tattoo but docs adviced me against it in case it would trigger a drop in my platelets again. so I guess if your platelets are at a good level it shouldnt be too much of an issue.

shen08 wrote: Good luck with that, let me know how it goes.
I really want a tattoo but docs adviced me against it in case it would trigger a drop in my platelets again. so I guess if your platelets are at a good level it shouldnt be too much of an issue.

Once I am asleep, nothing wakes me. When my sister and I were in our teens (she's a bit younger than me), I fell aslep and she tattooed my arm with a normal sewing needle and Indian ink. I never felt a thing, nor stirred. She tattooed the name of my then best friend on my upper arm for a laugh. first I knew about it was next morning, it was red, raised around the lettering, which was scabbed. I don't know how deep she went with the needle, but almost 20 years later it's not faded.

I don't know if the resultant redness or "swelling" would be any different than if it had been done by a proper tattoist with the right equipment, but I never ever had any complications arising from it.

But, we're all different, naturally.

And, in my foolish teenage years, I pierced my own ear with a stud earring with no bruising just a tiny swelling.

Yet, if I were to fall over and bruise myself, it would be the mother of all bruises. If I cut myself somehow, the bleeding doesn't last.

Yea, well I think even though im up at 70 and in a very safe level it still seems to take a long time for cuts to heal but thankfully i dont bruise easily now.

Ill be on to check up on how your appointment goes. Are you able to get your blood work done and the results back b4 you go to the doc?

I'll certainly let you know how I got on! Y'know, I've probably learned more about ITP from this site in the last 24hrs than I have in the last 24 years!

I always believed that my condition (whichever one it is!) was rare, and certainly during my childhood years most doctors in our Health Authority and surrounding had either not heard of it, or didn't know enough to be of any use - which is probably why I always ended up in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Paddy, ITP is rare and you will still find a lot of doctors who know nothing about it and still more doctors who will panic at a lowish platelet count. And if you actually have something other than ITP then that may well be even rarer. Hope you get a proper diagnosis. Even if you don't treat, it would be good to know what you've actually got so that you can understand it.

I live just up the road from Great Ormond Street so welcome to my world!

Ask your GP to have a full blood count and hopefully you have an understanding GP that will let you have one to check before having your tongue pierced. And if they lecture you about responsibilities you can say back that indeed you are being responsible because you are wanting to know what is considered a safe count and exactly where is your count now.

off course you could have simply gone out and had it pierced then dealt with any consequences but you are doing a bit of research so well done.

Not my idea of fun but fun is such an individual experience and I do wish you all the best and get the answer you are looking for. And when you get it pierced are you going to have a photo of it on here as your id?

Rhiannon wrote: Ask your GP to have a full blood count and hopefully you have an understanding GP that will let you have one to check before having your tongue pierced. And if they lecture you about responsibilities you can say back that indeed you are being responsible because you are wanting to know what is considered a safe count and exactly where is your count now.

off course you could have simply gone out and had it pierced then dealt with any consequences but you are doing a bit of research so well done.

Not my idea of fun but fun is such an individual experience and I do wish you all the best and get the answer you are looking for. And when you get it pierced are you going to have a photo of it on here as your id?

I have never met my GP. He's new so we'll see what happens. Thanks for the advice, if I do/can have the piercing, I will post it up. )

My little sister has been wanting to get her ears pierced for a while, if her count has been pretty stable&kinda high,do you think she would be able to get it done or would it cause her to bleed?

If your sister's count is high then she won't bleed any more than someone without ITP. If she has a low count then she will bleed more but in my experience bleeds always stop eventually anyway.