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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of stretch marks include:
- Indented streaks or lines in the skin
- Multiple pink, red or purple streaks
- Bright streaks that fade to light pink, white or grayish color
Stretch marks are common on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Sometimes they can cover large areas of the body.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you're concerned about the appearance of your skin or if the stretch marks cover large areas of your body. Your doctor can help determine the cause of the stretch marks and can discuss possible treatment options.
- 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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