mouth wash

Has anyone with low counts noticed an increase in bruising/petechiae when they've been using mouthwash that contains alcohol?

I've been to see the hygienist (aka the lecturing tooth witch) who apart from making my gums bleed a lot with her brutal approach to flossing, has insisted i start using peroxyl, an alcohol-based mouthwash. My platelets are at 36, but I've had no symptoms at all. I decided to finish up my listerine first, but after just 3 days of using it, I've started breaking out in bruises and petechiae - is this likely to be connected given that i just swill it round my mouth for 20 seconds? I've now got myself an alcohol-free version for just in case.

I would guess your mouthwash has peroxide in it, which can be a no-no for folks with platelet issues. You may want to do some research on it. I wouldn't think just swishing and spitting it out would do harm, but it's worth reading up on it.
Norma

Isn't Listerine alcohol-based?

Yes it is but it does mostly sit in the cupboard. So peroxide is a no-no too?

why is peroxide a no-no?

You might google it. I'd get you some links, but my computer has a google highjack virus, currently. (Links lead to wrong pages.) Anyhoo, there are articles that say peroxide, in sufficient concentrations, can cause destruction of platelets. Early on, when I was in a panic and trying to learn why my teen had this and what she needed to do or avoid, I read that peroxide and other bleaching agents were on the warning list. (She had recently had a severe rash after slathering benzoyl peroxide on her face for what she called acne and I would have called one bump.) I googled peroxide and itp. Still, I don't think the amount of peroxide in mouthwash (even if some is swallowed) or hair dye would be enough to cause problems.
Norma

Ah well - from the way she spoke to me (and disregarded my ITP), I'm feeling spiteful enough to ignore her, and use an alcohol-free mouthwash which isn't the one she prescribed