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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffStretch marks seem to be caused, literally, 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 develop in a variety of circumstances, including:
- 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.
References
- Elsaie ML, et al. Striae distensae (stretch marks) and different modalities of therapy: An update. Dermatological Surgery. 2009;35:563.
- Papoutsis J, et al. Physiological skin changes induced by pregnancy. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199649567-2/0/1528/0.html. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- Osman H, et al. Cocoa butter lotion for prevention of striae gravidarum: A double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2008;115:1138.
- Morelli JG. Diseases of the dermis. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199649567-5/0/1608/0.html. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- Karen JK, et al. Skin changes and diseases in pregnancy. In: Wolf K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y,: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2954133. Accessed May 4, 2010.
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