Striae (Stretch Marks)
August 18th, 2017
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------