Striae Distensae Report

Introduction:

Striae distensae, commonly referred to as ‘stretch marks’, is an extremely common skin condition characterized by parallel dermal scaring. The scarring is aligned perpendicular to the direction of skin tension and accompanied by epidermal atrophy. According to Elsaie, Maumann & Lofty (2009), striae distensae are two and a half times as frequent in women and affect up to 90% of pregnant women. and the abdomen and breasts during pregnancy.

Anatomical Basis and Function:

Gilmore and Vaughn (2012) state that the maturation of striae is similar to that of scar formation. Their evolution is characterized by three distinct phases. The initial acute stage, striae rubra, present as flattened, thinned skin with a pink hue that are sometimes accompanied by an itching sensation. When these early lesions are inspected under a light microscope, fine elastic fibers predominate throughout the dermis in association with thick and tortuous fibers toward the periphery. This inflammatory phase involves changes dermal oedema, perivascular lymphocyte cuffing, and an associated increase in the glycosaminoglycan content of the dermis. Collagen bands on the upper third of the reticular dermis are stretched and aligned parallel to the surface of the skin. The content of an integral component of these elastic fibres, fibrillin microfibrils, is reduced. Striae rubra evolve into a subacute stage where they increase in length and acquire a darker purple color. This phase generally progresses onto the later, chronic phase known as striae alba. Striae alba are characterized by hypopigmentation, loss of appendages, atrophic epidermal atrophy, and densely packed regions of thin eosinophilic collagen bundles aligned horizontal and parallel to the ...

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...ermal matrix substance.

Striae induced by prolonged systemic steroid use are usually larger and wider than other phenotypes of striae, and they involve widespread areas, occasionally including the face.

Striae secondary to topical steroid use are usually related to enhanced potency of the steroids when using occlusive plastic wraps. They usually affect the flexures and may become less visible if the offending treatment is withheld early enough.

(http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1074868-clinical#a0217)

Conclusion:

Though striae distensae does not cause any significant medical problem they can be detrimental in that their presence can cause significant cosmetic concern to those affected. Various treatments, including laser and light sources have been used in an attempt to alleviate striae distensae, but no definite working treatment has been established.