Editing Stretch marks (section)

== Signs and symptoms ==
Striae, or "stretch marks", begin as reddish or purple [[lesions]] which can appear anywhere on the body, but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored- as such, they can be experienced by all genders. The most common places are the [[abdomen]] (especially near the [[navel]]), breasts, upper arms, underarms, back, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks. Over time, they tend to [[atrophy]] and lose [[pigmentation]]. The affected areas appear empty, and are soft to the touch.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/568975/stretch-mark|title=Stretch Mark|access-date=1 November 2009|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=25 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625032029/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/568975/stretch-mark|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stretch marks occur in the [[dermis]], the resilient middle tissue layer that helps the [[Human skin|skin]] retain its shape. No stretch marks will form as long as there is support within the dermis; stretching plays a role in where the marks occur and in what direction they run.

They can (but do not always) cause a burning and itching sensation, as well as emotional distress. They pose no inherent health risk on their own, and do not compromise the body's ability to function normally and repair itself. However, some people dislike the way stretch marks look.<ref name="Stretch Mark">{{cite web |date=2023-01-12 |title=Stretch Marks - Symptoms & Causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stretch-marks/symptoms-causes/syc-20351139 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240713164100/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stretch-marks/symptoms-causes/syc-20351139 |archive-date=2024-07-13 |access-date=2011-11-10 |website=[[Mayo Clinic]]}}</ref> Young women are generally affected the most and often seek treatment for them from a [[Dermatology|dermatologist]]<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal | vauthors = Chang AL, Agredano YZ, Kimball AB | title = Risk factors associated with striae gravidarum | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 51 | issue = 6 | pages = 881–885 | date = December 2004 | pmid = 15583577 | doi = 10.1016/j.jaad.2004.05.030 }}</ref> and following [[pregnancy]].<ref name="Andrews">{{cite book |title=Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology |vauthors=James WD, Berger TG, Elston DM |publisher=Saunders Elsevier |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-7216-2921-6}}</ref>