Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

< Back
Stria

Stretch marks (striae) can appear when there is rapid stretching of the skin. Stretch marks appear as parallel streaks of red, thinned glossy skin that over time become whitish and scarlike in appearance. They are often associated with the abdominal enlargement of pregnancy and can also occur during the rapid growth of puberty in males and females. The stretch marks may be slightly depressed and have a different texture than normal skin.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com