Paging Dave King (was:Re: Gum care with ITP)



Ann wrote:
Hi guys,

I've just been diagnosed with ITP.. Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
It came on after a bout of shingles and has caused my gums to ooze
blood uncontrollably for a couple of days. Today, after a couple of
days of infusions of immuno globulin, the platelet count is up a bit
(it was 4 and is now 32) and the gums look better. I'm going to start
treatment with steroids next week so hopefully won't have that problem
again but will there be any damage done to the gums or will they
recover completely?

Also as my gums are likely to be fragile for a while yet, any tips as
to how to best treat them. I attend the dentist regularly and don't
have any tooth or gum problems normally. Would it be advisable to see
the dentist now, or is there nothing he can do so no point?

Any advice at all would be very welcome.

Ann


These are very good questions. We occasionally have a surgeon along who will likely know what tests specifically will show that normal oral hygiene and dental care are safe, since he has to deal with oral bleeding all the time. Hopefully he'll show up soon.

Steve

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