- April 26, 2016
- Posted by: emobile
- Category: Trending Topic
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Emobileclinic Trending Topic: Stretch Marks
Stretch marks (striae) are indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks are small, depressed streaks in the skin that appear most often on the abdomen in the later stages of pregnancy when the belly is rapidly expanding to accommodate a growing baby. Some women also get them on their buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. Stretch marks are particularly common in pregnant women, especially during the last trimester. Stretch marks are not painful or harmful, but some people feel distressed about the way they make their skin.
Stretch marks during pregnancy, usually occurs because of the breakdown of the elastic tissues of the dermis. This happens when the skin starts to become stretched to accommodate the growing baby. This also occurs when there is sudden weight gain, even if one is not pregnant. Studies moreover show that darker-skinned women are more prone to develop stretch marks, even if they have kept their weight gains to within the normal range.
Symptoms
Stretch marks vary depending on how long it has been with you, what caused them, where they are on your body, and the type of skin you have. Common variations however include:
Indented streaks or lines in the skin
Pink, red, black, blue or purple streaks
Bright streaks that fade to a lighter color
Streaks on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or thighs
Streaks covering large areas of the body.
Causes
Stretching of the skin, their severity is affected by several factors, including your genetic tendency, degree of stress on the skin and cortisone level.
Cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands weakens elastic fibers in the skin.
Risk factors
Anyone can develop stretch marks, but some factors increase your likelihood of getting them, including:
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Being female
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Having a personal or family history of stretch marks
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Being pregnant, especially for younger women
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Being overweight or obese
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Rapidly gaining or losing weight
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Using corticosteroid medication
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Undergoing breast enlargement surgery