Striae gravidarum
Encyclopedia
Often referred to as pregnancy stretch marks
, striae gravidarum is a form of scarring of the skin
of the abdominal due to sudden weight gain during pregnancy. These off-color blemishes are caused by the tearing of the dermis
, resulting in atrophy
and loss of rete ridges. These scars often appear as reddish or bluish streaks on the abdomen, and can also appear on the breasts and thighs. Some striae disappear with time, while others remain as permanent discolorations of the body.
. They can cause a burning and itching sensation, as well as emotional distress. They are rarely harmful, but thought of more as a cosmetic nuisance. Young women are generally affected the most and usually seek treatment for lesions from a dermatologist and following pregnancy
..
(such as the abdomen
, breasts, and thighs) are most commonly associated with striae formation. Some have suggested that relaxin
and estrogen
combined with higher levels of cortisol
during pregnancy can cause an accumulation of muocopolysaccharides, which increases water absorption of connective tissue
, making it prime for cleavage under mechanical stress. There also seems to be an association between higher body mass indices and in women with bigger babies and the incidence and severity of striae. Also, younger women seem to be at higher risk of developing striae during pregnancy.
and Romans
used olive oil
, while Ethiopians and Somalians used frankincense
. Both of these treatments have surged in their use in recent years. Results of modern studies have offered conflicting results regarding the efficacy of various topical ointments. Conventional treatment includes topical 0.1% tretinon cream mixed with various lotions and moisturizers. Some unconventional prevention therapies include applying castor oil
, taking thiosinaminum, applying seaweed
wraps, using topical glycolic or fruit acids, and various other homeopathic creams and/or oils. To date, nothing appears to definitively prevent striae gravidarum from forming.
and trentonin cream, which noticeably led to an improvement in elastin
in skin tissue and a reduction in discoloration.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks or striae , as they are called in dermatology, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis, and over time can diminish but not disappear completely....
, striae gravidarum is a form of scarring of the skin
Skin
-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
of the abdominal due to sudden weight gain during pregnancy. These off-color blemishes are caused by the tearing of the dermis
Dermis
The dermis is a layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues, and is composed of two layers, the papillary and reticular dermis...
, resulting in atrophy
Atrophy
Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations , poor nourishment, poor circulation, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply to the target organ, disuse or lack of exercise or disease intrinsic to the tissue itself...
and loss of rete ridges. These scars often appear as reddish or bluish streaks on the abdomen, and can also appear on the breasts and thighs. Some striae disappear with time, while others remain as permanent discolorations of the body.
Symptoms & Signs
Striae begin as reddish purple lesions, and, over time, lose pigmentation and atrophyAtrophy
Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations , poor nourishment, poor circulation, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply to the target organ, disuse or lack of exercise or disease intrinsic to the tissue itself...
. They can cause a burning and itching sensation, as well as emotional distress. They are rarely harmful, but thought of more as a cosmetic nuisance. Young women are generally affected the most and usually seek treatment for lesions from a dermatologist and following pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
..
Causes and Associations
Mechanical distention and rapidly developing areas of the body during pregnancyPregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
(such as the abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
, breasts, and thighs) are most commonly associated with striae formation. Some have suggested that relaxin
Relaxin
Relaxin is a protein hormone first described in 1926 by Frederick Hisaw.The relaxin-like peptide family belongs in the insulin superfamily and consists of 7 peptides of high structural but low sequence similarity; relaxin-1 , 2 and 3 , and the insulin-like peptides, INSL3, INSL4, INSL5 and INSL6...
and estrogen
Estrogen
Estrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...
combined with higher levels of cortisol
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat,...
during pregnancy can cause an accumulation of muocopolysaccharides, which increases water absorption of connective tissue
Connective tissue
"Connective tissue" is a fibrous tissue. It is one of the four traditional classes of tissues . Connective Tissue is found throughout the body.In fact the whole framework of the skeleton and the different specialized connective tissues from the crown of the head to the toes determine the form of...
, making it prime for cleavage under mechanical stress. There also seems to be an association between higher body mass indices and in women with bigger babies and the incidence and severity of striae. Also, younger women seem to be at higher risk of developing striae during pregnancy.
Prevention
Since ancient times, pregnant women have sought remedies to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Both ancient GreeksAncient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
and Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
used olive oil
Olive oil
Olive oil is an oil obtained from the olive , a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps...
, while Ethiopians and Somalians used frankincense
Frankincense
Frankincense, also called olibanum , is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia sacra, B. carteri, B. thurifera, B. frereana, and B. bhaw-dajiana...
. Both of these treatments have surged in their use in recent years. Results of modern studies have offered conflicting results regarding the efficacy of various topical ointments. Conventional treatment includes topical 0.1% tretinon cream mixed with various lotions and moisturizers. Some unconventional prevention therapies include applying castor oil
Castor oil
Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the castor bean . Castor oil is a colorless to very pale yellow liquid with mild or no odor or taste. Its boiling point is and its density is 961 kg/m3...
, taking thiosinaminum, applying seaweed
Seaweed
Seaweed is a loose, colloquial term encompassing macroscopic, multicellular, benthic marine algae. The term includes some members of the red, brown and green algae...
wraps, using topical glycolic or fruit acids, and various other homeopathic creams and/or oils. To date, nothing appears to definitively prevent striae gravidarum from forming.
Treatment
Some success has been made in treating and eliminating striae gravidarum. Some studies have examined the use of 20% glycolic acid and 10% L-ascorbic acid with zinc sulfate and tyrosine, as well as laser treatments in reducing the appearance of striae. In these studies, the most promising regimen was treatment with a laser, and the application of both glycolic acidGlycolic acid
Glycolic acid is the smallest α-hydroxy acid . This colorless, odorless, and hygroscopic crystalline solid is highly soluble in water. It is used in various skin-care products. Glycolic acid is found in some sugar-crops...
and trentonin cream, which noticeably led to an improvement in elastin
Elastin
Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. Elastin is also an important load-bearing tissue in the bodies of...
in skin tissue and a reduction in discoloration.