Blood is made up of several types of cells. These cells float in a liquid called plasma. The types of blood cells are:
-- red blood cells
-- white blood cells
-- platelets, or thrombocytes

When your skin is injured or broken, platelets clump together and form clots to stop the bleeding. When you don’t have enough platelets in your blood, your body cannot form clots. A low platelet count may also be called Thrombocytopenia. This condition can range from mild to severe, depending on its underlying cause. For some, the symptoms can include severe bleeding and are possibly fatal if they’re not treated. Other people may not experience any symptoms. Typically, a low platelet count is the result of a medical condition, like Leukemia, or certain drugs. The treatment usually addresses the condition causing the thrombocytopenia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Low Platelet Count?
Whether or not you experience symptoms of a low platelet count depends on your platelet count. Mild cases, such as when a low platelet count is caused by pregnancy, usually don’t cause any symptoms. More severe cases may cause uncontrollable bleeding, which requires immediate medical attention. If you have a low platelet count, you may experience:
-- red, purple, or brown bruises, which are called "purpura"
-- a rash with small red or purple dots called "petechiae"
-- nosebleeds
-- bleeding gums
-- bleeding from wounds that lasts for a prolonged period or doesn’t stop on its own
-- heavy menstrual bleeding
-- bleeding from the rectum
-- blood in the stools
-- blood in the urine