Abdominal Striae
Type: Symptom
Definition
Wide, purplish stretch marks appearing on the skin of the abdomen.
Clinical Details
Cortisol severely weakens the collagen and elastin fibers in the dermal layer of the skin. As rapid central weight gain physically stretches this weakened skin, the tissue tears subdermally. Because the skin is thinned, the underlying blood vessels show through, creating distinct, wide, reddish-purple streaks.