Where Stretch Marks Are Found
Stretch marks are found in conditions like pregnancy, puberty, obesity etc. and are usually seen in areas like abdomen, thighs, breasts, buttocks, shoulders etc.
- Abdomen: Abdomen is mainly affected during pregnancy. In obese individuals excess fat deposition in the abdominal wall can also result in stretch marks. Ascites is a condition wherein excess of fluid is collected in the peritoneal cavity due to different causes, which stretch the abdominal wall. Similarly, any large lump or tumor in the abdomen can also cause stretching of skin.
- Thighs: Seen mainly in weight lifters and body builders. Obesity and puberty also cause stretch marks in this region.
- Breasts: Enlargement of breasts is one of the secondary sexual characters in females. During puberty stretch marks may appear on breasts that will be doubled by obesity. However stretch marks are more common during pregnancy due to enlargement and engorgement of the breasts. Stretch marks become more prominent when the breasts become pendulous or sagged with the advancement of age.
- Buttocks: Stretch marks appear here mainly during puberty. Girls are more affected than boys due to the development of typical feminine structure. Fat deposition is more in this area. Exercise and obesity affect both sexes equally.
- Shoulders: Here stretch marks are mainly due to exercise and hypertrophy of shoulder muscles. Deltoid region is mainly affected.
- Other sites: Swellings due to conditions like fat deposition, tumors or edema can result in stretch marks in any part of the body. Lymph edema is due to the obstruction of flow of lymph, which causes stretch marks mainly in the extremities.
Once these marks appear, certain time is required for them to be less prominent.