Taking Aspirin To Prevent Clotting. Having Pain In Butt And Getting Rashes. Is This Normal?

Posted on Wed, 6 Nov 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 6 Nov 2013 Answered on

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have 2issues going on . I take daily asprin for 2 weeks on horomones i am taking it to prevent clotting. I get bruises alot now that are purple and then they get almost black . Is this normal? And i also noticed on my upper left butt i was having a annoying pain like a scrtach feeling i just looked its like a rash of some kind , very irrated and bright red w/ Red dots - what is this from ? Is this serious ?

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Low platelets, No aspirin Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX! Aspirins are antithrombotics (avoid platelets aggregation which result in clots). The purple bruises you mentioned are purpuraes and they occur when there is some thing wrong with bleeding clotting mechanisms like thrombocytopenia (low platelets) or some other bleeding diathesis. All the purplish blotches are purpuraes and they need to be worked up. In this circumstance I advice my patients to skip aspirin doses for a day and resume with one daily. In addition, I also advise some bleeding profile workup to see where does the problem lie Full blood count PT/APTT/INR Liver function tests Bleeding time and clotting time. If there has not been any previous episodes and the spots appeared only recently (in these two weeks) I believe its aspirin. But get yourself assessed after these investigations. I hope I was of some help If you have any further queries please feel free to ask. I would be happy to answer.Otherwise kindly close the discussion and rate the answer as per your experience. Regards Dr Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (58 minutes later)

I had all those test done prior to taking asprin . All normal But i have a bruise which i got scared thought ot was a bllod clot ..

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Repeat tests ,stop aspirin, see GP nearby Detailed Answer: Hello again, I am sure these tests were done and they should be done. But what aspirin does is it deranges them. Since you been on aspirin for awhile, may be you over dosed it (you should not take more than 81-325 mg a day at anytime) or the medication has caused abnormalities which your physician did not expect. It's not clotting, but aspirin avoids easy clot formation. Therefore every time you scratch the small capillaries can leak resulting in purplish blotches and rashes. In short, I am not concered about the purplish blotches, but concerned if the aspirin is leading to future bleeding diathesis. So please repeat the tests and stop the aspirin - miss a dose or two. And review with your treating doctor. I will be glad to clarify further if you have any more doubts. I wish you a very good health and take good care of yourself.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (33 minutes later)

So , i need to repeat ptt, Inr ? I didnt think it was serious? I only talke 81 mg bayer chewable a day going on day 12 . Taking 2mg x 3 times a day of estrace.

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer: It is precaution.... not a serious concern. Detailed Answer: Hello madam! Yes, you need to repeat the test; more importantly platelet count. You can also consider PT/ aptt INR along with liver and renal function tests. And skip a dose of aspirin too; consider it aspirin holiday. Lastly don't forget to see your physician to assess better. I hope I was of help. If you need any more queries please do ask i would be happy to help. Other wise kindly close the discussion, I wish you very good luck Regards Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad