Itchy Stretch Marks: Causes, Treatment, & Prevention

Stretch marks tin simply occur on some trunk parts like the breast, hips, butt, arms, and abdomen. While these marks are harmless and may fade away after some fourth dimension, some people struggle with the question: why do stretch marks itch? Remainder assured, the itch is as natural and normal as the marks. In this article, we explained why stretch marks itch and how to treat these itchy marks. Keep reading.

Itchy Stretch Marks: What Are The Causes?

You lot develop stretch marks when your skin stretches beyond its capacity, causing tears in the dermis (the second layer of skin right beneath the epidermis).

When the stretch marks are fresh and developing, they appear red, purple, or pinkish (depending on your skin tone). That's when they itch.

Fresh stretch marks crawling considering the skin is thinner and has less collagen support. Moreover, dermal tear besides harms the nerves. Once the pare starts healing, the damaged nerves are stimulated, which causes the itching sensation.

Also, if the peel around the stretch marks becomes dry, it may crusade itching. In such cases, topical moisturizers can offer some relief. Notwithstanding, you take to be specially careful when y'all develop itchy stretch marks on your abdomen during pregnancy.

Itchy Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Stretch marks often develop during late pregnancy, when the baby is growing, and the skin on your abdomen stretches to adjust the baby. Usually, yous may develop stretch marks during the second trimester. Some may even discover them at the stop of the third trimester.

During this fourth dimension, the stretch marks or the pare effectually them may itch. This is because the peel starts healing itself.

However, some women may also develop a blazon of rash called the Pruritic Urticarial Papules And Plaques Of Pregnancy (PUPPP). This is the most common blazon of rashes that meaning women develop during the tertiary trimester of their pregnancy (nearly at the same fourth dimension as they develop stretch marks) (i).

PUPPP is an inflammatory peel condition, and if it develops on the stretch marks, it can add on to the itchiness and cause extreme discomfort. The medico may prescribe topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines for treatment.

Hence, information technology is better to be on the safe side if you are pregnant and become your skin evaluated by a doctor in instance you develop an itch.

If your itchiness is caused due to the developing stretch marks and the dryness around them, hither are a few ways to control it.

How To Treat Itchy Stretch Marks

Keeping the area moisturized while stretch marks are developing is important. Moisturization not but helps fade them but also relieves itching by reducing dryness (2). Here are a few things y'all may try:

1. Cocoa Butter

There is a lack of evidence supporting the use of cocoa butter equally an effective pare moisturizer. However, i small study suggests that cocoa butter can improve skin elasticity (three).

It is also widely used in cosmetic formulations, especially in moisturizing lotions, for its skin moisturizing abilities. You lot may effort massaging the surface area with cocoa butter to keep the skin moisturized and forbid itching.

2. Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is widely used in traditional medicine for healing several skin issues. It is an excellent moisturizer that helps to reduce inflammation by improving the transepidermal water loss and peel bulwark function. Information technology also helps to proceed the skin hydrated and moisturized (4). This property may also help to fade the stretch marks.

iii. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin East oil (the liquid squeezed from the softgels) is an extremely popular home remedy to keep the skin moisturized. Nevertheless, at that place is no scientific proof of its moisturizing effects. Vitamin East is a potent antioxidant and can proceed the pare healthy (five).

In addition to the above-mentioned ingredients, y'all may also utilize almond and jojoba oils or moisturizing creams.

You may also consult a dermatologist. They may suggest anti-itch ointments and topical creams or lotions to keep itching at bay. Hither are some more tips that may assist reduce itching on your stretch marks.

A Few Tips To Forestall Itchy Stretch Marks

1. Apply Moisturizers Frequently

It is crucial to keep your pare moisturized. You may layer both creams and moisturizers for intense hydration. Apply moisturizers at least thrice a day, ever on clammy pare. This volition help prevent dryness.

2. Get For Oil Massages

Massaging the stretch marks with oil tin aid reduce itchiness. It also helps amend elasticity and hydration levels of your pare. Oil massages during pregnancy not only keep the skin healthy and fade stretch marks only also help salve pregnancy-related stress and feet.

Nevertheless, always consult a physician before massaging your abdomen. Also, be mindful of the pressure that is beingness applied.

3. Use A Moisturizing Cleanser For Shower

Avoid soaps for bathing as they may make your peel dry. Use moisturizing body washes. This will help preclude the tightness or dryness of your skin. Also, use lukewarm water for showers.

iv. Apply Topical Ointments And Creams For Itchy Stretch Marks

If your doctor has recommended any anti-itch foam or ointment, make it a point to apply it regularly and as directed.

Normally, you lot get stretch marks:

when you lose or proceeds weight rapidly
during puberty
if you are weight training for building muscle mass
if you have a family unit history of stretch marks
if y'all take certain medical conditions (like Marfan'south syndrome, Cushing syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome).

Stretch marks may exist itchy in the kickoff, but proper treatment tin ensure that the crawling goes away. However, if it doesn't subside with home remedies, consult a doctor immediately.

Oft Asked Questions

What is the best cream for itchy stretch marks?

Aquaphilic ointment works best on itchy stretch marks. However, information technology is recommended to consult a doctor before using whatever creams. Avoid self-medication.

Practice stretch marks itch when gaining weight?

If you have gained weight and developed fresh stretch marks, they might crawling.

Why are my stretch marks purple and itchy?

Purple stretch marks are fresh stretch marks. They can be ruby-red, purple, or pinkish, depending on your skin tone. Fresh stretch marks tend to itch.

Why do stretch marks become dry?

This happens due to lack of moisturization. The pare effectually the stretch marks may get dry, and it might cause itching.

Sources

Manufactures on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and bookish research papers, reputed organizations, inquiry institutions, and medical associations to ensure accurateness and relevance. Check out our editorial policy for further details.

Chouk, Chourouk, and Noureddine Litaiem. "Pruritic Urticarial Papules And Plaques Of Pregnancy (PUPPP)." StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, 2019.
https://world wide web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539700/
Wollina, Uwe, and Alberto Goldman. "Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae)." Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery 10.iii (2017): 124.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5782435/
Gasser, P., et al. "Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo pare restructuring." International journal of corrective science xxx.5 (2008): 339-345.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/x.1111/j.1468-2494.2008.00457.x
Varma, Sandeep R., et al. "In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective backdrop of Virgin coconut oil." Journal of traditional and complementary medicine 9.ane (2019): v-14.
https://world wide web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6335493/
Cracking, Mohammad Abid, and Iffat Hassan. "Vitamin Eastward in dermatology." Indian dermatology online journal 7.four (2016): 311.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416/

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Ramona is an associate editor at StyleCraze. Prior to that, she authored over 200 articles on peel and pilus intendance.... more

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