How Does Leukemia Bruising Differ from a Normal Bruise?

Leukemia is a progressive disease that includes the bone marrow and lymphatic system. It is a type of cancerous disorder that involves the immature or abnormal production of leukocytes. The exact causes of leukemia are not known but there are some of the risk factors leading to leukemia which includes:

  • Previous cancer history
  • Genetic disorders
  • Exposure to chemicals
  • Smoking
  • Family history

Major Symptoms

Leukemia is a kind of malignancy cancer having the following signs and symptoms through which it can easily be diagnosed.

  • Fever or chills
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Frequent or severe infections
  • Easy bleeding or bruising
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Swollen lymph nodes and Enlarged liver or spleen
  • Recurrent nosebleeds
  • Tiny red spots on your skin (Petechiae)
  • Excessive sweating, especially at night
  • Bone pain or tenderness

Bruises or easy bleeding

The fourth most common leukemia symptom is bruising (easy bleeding). A bruise is formed when the blood vessels under the skin are damaged and don’t heal. The bruise is formed due to a lack of platelets in the patients suffering from leukemia. There are no enough platelets to stop bleeding of damaged vessels and thus a black or blue patch is formed on the skin. It is generally different from normal bruising. A person must be aware to differentiate between normal bruising and harmful bruising in accordance to diagnose leukemia properly. The following are some differences that one must keep in mind to spot the difference.

1) The bruises will occur in unusual places

The bruise in the case of leukemia is formed in places such as the back, legs, and hands. In the case of children, the bruises appear on the face, buttocks, ears, chest, and head.