Stria

Alternative names:

stretch marks; stria atrophica; striae distensae

Home care:

There is no specific care for stretch marks. Advertised creams and salves to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy are of little value. However, the marks often will disappear after the cause of the skin stretching is gone. Avoiding rapid weight gain helps in the case of stretch marks associated with obesity.

Call your health care provider if:

• stria or stretch marks appear without obvious cause such as pregnancy or rapid weight gain.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

You health care provider will take a medical history and complete a physical examination. If the stria are not caused by normal physiological changes, further studies may be ordered.

Medical history questions documenting stria in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • Is this the first time that you have developed stria?
  • When did you first notice this?

• medications
  • What medications have you used?
  • Have you used a topical corticosteroid medication?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to stria to your personal medical record.