Striae Distensae

• Striae are colloquially known as stretch marks, and suggest either previous distension of the abdomen or weakness of the abdominal skin.

• • Look For

  • Band-like skin defects over langer's lines on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, hips and/or thighs.

• • Interpretation

  • Erythematous - acute
  • Purple - resolving
  • Skin-coloured - healed

• • Causes of Striae Distensae

  • Distension - ascites, rapid weight gain
  • Striae gravidarum - current / past pregnancy
  • Topical or systemic steroids
  • Cushing syndrome
  • Connective tissue disorders - Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos
  • Drugs - chemotherapy, tuberculosis medications, antiretrovirals, contraceptives