How to Tell If You Have a Stretch Mark
Stretch marks are caused by a stretching of the skin, along with an increase in the hormone cortisone, which is produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisone is thought to contribute to stretch marks by weakening the elastic fibers in skin. There are medical treatments that can lessen the appearance of stretch marks, but nothing will completely remove them. Women, especially pregnant women, are more prone to stretch marks than men.
Instructions
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Notice if you have pink, red or purple streaks on your skin, or if you have white streaks on your skin. The colored streaks are new stretch marks; the white streaks are old stretch marks.
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Find streaks in the areas where stretch marks commonly appear--the abdomen, hips, breasts, buttocks, thighs and upper arms.
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Consider whether you are in one of the categories at risk for stretch marks--are you pregnant, have you recently gained or lost weight, are you overweight or are you a woman?
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Evaluate your medication use. Consider whether you have been using cortisone skin creams or lotions, or if you have been taking steroid pills. All encourage stretch marks.
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Know your medical history. If you have a history of Cushing's syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, other genetic disorders or adrenal gland disorders you are at risk for widespread stretch marks. If you have a family history of stretch marks, you are more prone to them.
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Go online and enter "stretch marks" into the search engine. Look at pictures of stretch marks and see if the marks on your body look similar.
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Visit your doctor for a confirmation of stretch marks. Your doctor will diagnose stretch marks through an examination of your skin and a review of your medical history. If your doctor thinks a medical condition is causing your stretch marks, he may order additional tests.
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Tips & Warnings
Stretch marks are a cosmetic condition and are harmless. There are medical treatments available to reduce their appearance, but they won't remove stretch marks completely.
Over-the-counter products and natural products advertised to remove or reduce the appearance of stretch marks are ineffective. Don't waste your money on them.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Dreamglow: Flickr Creative Commons
