Any medical conditions that cause stretch marks?

[Ducy]

Just wondering if there could be a cause for stretch marks, other than gaining weight to quickly. I started developing stretch marks on my left bicep after gaining an inch on my arms. But then I stopped growing and have started to cut weight while still developing stretch marks. I still am getting stronger, but I am slowly developing more and more stretch marks. My biceps have slowed a bit but there are some on the back of my arms and they're just continueing to stretch and grow. I don't mind them all too much but I'm just curious because they're just expanding yet my arms have stayed the same size for a while.

[RedRoses]

No medical professional, but I did some searching on this for some time, so here it goes:

Stretchmarks are caused because of a is a rapid growth of tissue. This can be due to bodybuilding, pregnancy, sudden weight gain, growing rapidly (like in puberty), etc. The skin can cope with this sudden growth as it is very elastic, but the deeper layers of connective tissue can only stretch very little in a short period of time. These layers consist of tough collagen-fibres and get small tearing when overstretched, which become apparent as purple/red stripes and later become white stripes. Over the years they get a bit less visible. It is actually minor scarring. Stretchmarks in itself pose no health risk. Though a lot stretchmarks in one area can make your skin less tight.

The medical conditions that cause stretchmarks are regular use of corticosteroids and Cushings disorder (in which the body itself overproduces such hormones). These hormones influence the collagen in the connective tissues. If you regularly use corticosteroid cream on a part of your skin, that specific area could also become more prone to stretchmarks.

Certain types of medication can cause stretchmarks as an indirect consequence because they cause you to hold more fluid (makes you puffy). Allergic reactions that cause your skin to swell are also known to cause them (I know all about those ). Last; there appears to be an issue of inheritance; if your parents are prone to stretchmarks, most likely you'll be too.

Several have claimed that moisturizing the skin 3 times a day could help prevent or diminish existing stretchmarks. And some do a type of laser cosmetic surgery to lessen visibility of existing stretchmarks (preferably when still red and haven't turned white yet). Yet: there is no cure or precaution that has been proven to work.

[Brandye]

Perhaps not a medical "professional" but a very professional, and accurate, answer. And, I cannot miss the chance to again knock supplements. Those that mimic steroids to some degree can cause the same side effects.

[big916]

you did say that you are heavier than in the past. is it also possible that you building muscle and ridding your body of water weight to get the "tight" look may cause this?

[Ducy]

Brandye no steroids are taken. Only a whey protein supplement to help with my recovery.

Also I am getting back down in weight. I came in at 201 before finally starting to cut my calories. I'm currently floating between 192 to 194 depending on the time of day. As far as cutting water I am doing it via increased water intake. I'm not taking anything to speed up my water loss. If anything I would imagine my stretch marks would stop forming after I began to lose weight.

The weirdest part is that its only in my left bicep and the back of my thigs where my hamstrings meet my glutes (this I know why). Perhaps its not really a medical condition, its just an oddity, since I'm not developing stretch marks everywhere. I have developed a great deal of vascularity in the last month but that's most likely from the weight loss.

[RedRoses]

Thank you, Brandye

Just asking; how does one recognize the supplements that mimic steroids, in order to avoid it? Are we talking those jars with vein-popping muscles as advertisement? If so, I'm sure I've never touched those And I'm making sure none of my friends will.

Ducy, all I know is for me personally it took a while for the stretchmarks to appear in all their "glory" And that some area's indeed were more sensitive than others (after I used to swell up like a frog in a hot tub while having an allergic reaction, there are none on my lower arms, yet my upper arms have become covered with stretchmarks on the inside.)

[Ducy]

Steroids and prohormones (supplements that enter the body but are directly broken down into a hormone) are what I believe brandye is referring to. Some people refer to anti estrogens as a steroid when in reality they are not steroids.

Some supplements such as nitrix oxide boosters are what cause "vein popping". This is due to an increased production of nitric oxide which causes the veins to expand. Some supplements such as test boosters (but gh. Boosters especially) cause this as well as a handfull of steroids. But in todays age most of the veiny people you see are either jacked because of consistant training or they are taking a nitric oxide booster.

[EvilEvilKitten]

Those aren't stretchmarks - they're Tiger Stripes!

[RedRoses]

Haha! LOL!
Well, if it counts for anyone, guess that makes me a Tigress. Or perhaps; I'd rather be a Tiggeres, cause....
...the wonderful thing about Tiggers! Is Tiggers are wonderful things! They're jumpy, bumpy, clumpy, thumpy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!!!
Oops, just gave away I'm still a bit of a kid at times

TTFN!