Stretch marks

Alternative Names

Stretch marks

What is Stretch marks

Stretch marks (striae) are pink, reddish or purplish indented streaks that usually occur on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks are especially prevalent among women who are pregnant.

Stretch marks are not so serious and disappear over time. In some cases, stretch marks are a sign of a medical condition such as Cushing's syndrome or another adrenal gland disease. Treatments can decline the appearance of stretch marks but will not completely remove them.

Signs and symptoms

People with stretch marks may have:

• Indented streaks or lines in the skin
• Multiple pink, red or purple streaks
• Bright streaks that fade to light pink, white or grayish color

Possible complications

As a rule, stretch marks do not cause any complications and disappear on its own.

What causes

Stretch marks are caused by a stretching of the skin, coupled with an increase in cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisone may weaken elastic fibers in the skin.

Stretch marks may appear due to the following circumstances:

• Pregnancy. Most pregnant women develop stretch marks by the end of their pregnancy. The physical stretching of the skin, along with hormonal factors, likely plays a role.
• Weight gain. Stretch marks sometimes occur during substantial weight gain. Weightlifters also can develop stretch marks, particularly on the arms. Adolescents may notice stretch marks during growth spurts.
• Medication use. Corticosteroid creams, lotions and pills, and chronic use of oral or systemic steroids can cause stretch marks.
• Conditions or diseases. Cushing's syndrome and adrenal gland diseases can cause widespread stretch marks, as can Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other hereditary (genetic) disorders.

Prevention

No way to prevent stretch marks exists, even if you rub plenty of creams, oils and lotions on your skin. You may decrease the risk of developing stretch marks by maintaining a healthy weight. During pregnancy, you will necessarily gain weight over a relatively brief period, but you can work with your doctor to minimize the gain by eating well and exercising.

Treatment

If the stretch marks are cosmetically distressing, early red areas can be medically treated, but treatments are not be covered by insurance. Treatments include the followings:

• Tretinoin cream
• Laser treatments
• Chemical peels