Stretch marks, also known as striae are a dermatological problem. This causes the formation of scars on the skin surface. Over a period of time they become lighter and less prominent but in some cases, they become more or less permanent and ugly looking.
Symptoms:
Stretch marks can appear absolutely anywhere in the body. Usually they appear where there is a large storage of fat like abdomen, breast, thigh, arms, etc. They do not imply any harmful or danger to the health condition and are not a reason to panic.
Firstly they appear as purplish or reddish lines and then later on, they fade and become lighter. The skin in that region becomes extra soft.
Causes:
The stretch marks can happen to almost any one, fat or thin, man or woman, old or young. Teenagers are at a high risk of developing stretch marks.
The following are the causes of stretch marks:
1. Pregnancy: pregnancy brings in a sudden change in the weight of a woman. When the skin cannot resist this sudden change in the weight, it develops stretch marks during pregnancy. It is in the form of the tearing up of the skin. Thus stretch marks in women are very common.
2. Weight change: Similarly, such stretch marks can also appear when there is a sudden change in weight. This change can be in the form of weight gain or weight loss. When it happens very rapidly, the skin does not get enough time to adjust to the changes and the stretch marks are formed.
3. Sometimes due to lack of certain nutrients, the stretch marks can be formed. This deficiency is shown on the skin and thus is one of the causes of stretch marks.
4. Sometimes a sudden change in the environmental condition can also cause stretch marks. The skin might show stretch marks as a way to adapt to the change climatically and otherwise.
5. One of the causes of stretch marks is the use of certain medications. Some medicines, including steroids can show side effects in the form of stretch marks formation.
6. Stretch marks in teenagers have been observed quite frequently. In such a case, it can happen to a boy or to a girl. They form a part of the natural growth process of the children.
7. The hormones responsible for their occurrence are the glucocorticoid hormones.
8. Sometimes they occur because of some genetic factors. They include some kind of an inherited defect.
Prevention:
The following are the ways of prevention of stretch marks.
1. Avoid rapid weight gain or rapid weight loss. For this do not change your appetite very abruptly. In case you want to lose weight, try doing it in the natural and a slow manner.
2. Use good moisturiser for the skin and 2-3 times apply it gently all over the body and especially on the more delicate regions.
3. During pregnancy visit a doctor and start using an anti stretch mark cream. This will prevent the problem from occurring later on.
If the stretch marks occur, remember they are fully curable. Just see a doctor and take the best advice for the removal. Whatever may the causes of stretch marks, the solution is easily available.
Find out how to get rid of stretch marks as well as read about reviews on creams that help prevent the appearance of stretch marks at http://www.stretchmarkshelp.com.