Bright Red Stretch Marks

Updated on June 09, 2008
H.F. asks from Springfield, MO
20 answers

I have three stretch marks on my belly that have just recently turned bright red and started itching like crazy. Is this normal? All the other stretch marks I have are a kind of a reddish-purple but they don't itch.

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone who gave their advice. I went to see the doctor and he said that they are normal and that the stretch marks that appear on your stomach are usually brighter than the ones that appear everywhere else because the skin is more stretched there.

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E.W.

answers from Springfield on

I'm just here to chime in. I had the same with my first, although I'm in my second pregnancy now. In the year between pregnancies, they didn't really fade, but not that I'm pregnant again, they are becoming flesh colored (which seems a little odd to me). So, I wanted to let you know that EVENTUALLY they will go away.

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M.N.

answers from St. Louis on

HI H.,
Yes, bummer ,they are normal.
1) Water, water, water and more water
2) a)Vitamin E oil and b)Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion with Vitamin E. Apply a, then b on top.
3) as Katrena said, do not forget the top two ;}
4) also for the top two because you will really need this afterwards, especially hopefully if nursing, lanolin oil--start now.
I do not have any stretch marks and I did the above routine religiously day and night.
M. N.

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C.L.

answers from Joplin on

well eveyone knows what stretch marks are its the streching of skin after its streched now it has to heal that is the iching you feel its your skin healing

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V.G.

answers from Wichita on

my babay is almost 26 n sometimes my streach marks still itch. i am also heavy so i have lots of them. i dont know if others have it but yes i do lol

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E.T.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi H.,

I had the same thing when I was pregnant. The stretch marks on my belly itched the same way. I think it's just the skin stretching that causes the itching. After I gave birth the stretch marks itched for a while too but as my belly returned to normal it stopped. I just used lots of lotion which did help somewhat.

Take care!
E. T.

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D.T.

answers from Kansas City on

H.,
I am a Young Living Distributor and I sell products made from all natural essential oils. I recommend that you try Claraderm Spray. This spray helps reinvigorate skin and relieves irritation. This gentle spray is a blend of nature's most soothing and calming essential oils in a base of fractionated coconut oil. It contains the oils: myrrh, lavendar, Roman chamomile, Melaleuca alternifolia, frankincense, and helichrysum. It is created specifically for stressed skin before and after childbirth.
It comes in a 2 oz. spray bottle and costs $66.00.
Please call me ###-###-#### cell or ###-###-#### home if you would like to purchase this or any of the other wonderful Young Living Products or if you would just like to get more information on the products. I'm in Weston too.

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M.R.

answers from Topeka on

Im pretty sure this is normal, your belly is stretching at an amazing rate right now. I would reccomend using cocoa butter to several times a day to keep it moisturized, it should help with the itching and prevention of more stretch marks.

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D.G.

answers from St. Louis on

I would go to the Dr. It sounds like it might be the start of PUPPPS. I had this with my daughter near the end of my pregnancy. It is completly harmless, but the itching can drive you crazy. Keep the area cool and try not to scratch (easier said than done). Apply pressure and/or ice packs. Don't take hot showers or baths.

It could potentially just be your skin stretching as well. Make sure to apply lots of lotion.

Congrats and Good Luck

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B.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I feel ya, girl. I'm due anytime and my stretch marks are just horrible. With my first I didn't get ANY until I was in labor- that was a cruel trick, God! ;) Now this time the baby is sitting so low that it's just killer. Ugh. I've used Vitamin E oil the whole time but it hasn't helped all that much. I think I'll give the coco butter a try next. Stretch marks are just terrible and disgusting! I hate them!

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

Lather up with lotion it is only the begining
WSAHM of 2

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Yep, normal. Try moisturing them with Vit E oil, or even olive oil (the good kind). Drink lots of water. Remember stretch marks are basically scars so the color will eventually decrease but they will always be there. Try to keep your skin elastic, this will help not get more, and with the severarity of them. I was religious about vit E oil in my baths and lotions etc... and don't have any on my tummy, but with a tumer in my breast I have a whole boob full :( I didn't think about moisturing my upper half, and now you can tell. Good luck, drinking water will help too.

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L.

answers from Kansas City on

This second time around for me I have used Curel Life Stages Preganancy/Motherhood Cream (can get anywhere) and BioOil (Walgreens or CVS). While I'm not saying they are preventing stretch marks they have kept my skin very moisturized and soft, more than with my first preganancy when I used Palmer cocoa butter. It just has helped keep that tight itchy feeling away. Good luck!!

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A.E.

answers from Topeka on

It is completely normal. As you get bigger, you might experience more swelling in your legs and feet, they will itch, eventhough you may or may not have stretch marks too.

Ali - hope this helps

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A.B.

answers from Fayetteville on

Sounds just like me....its normal, its the not-so-beautiful part of beautiful pregnancies. You're skin can't keep up, the other stretch marks (I'm assuming from puberty probably) were gradual. Mine itched and almost burned so I put a little vaseline on them as most lotions burned and irritated them. Too bad there's no way to prevent them-some people get them, some don't-no matter the size of their growing bodies.

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V.M.

answers from Wichita on

Hi H.,

Arbonne's Rejuvenating Cream is awesome and it's all natural. They also carry a great baby care line of products as well. Check it out at www.vickimartinez.myarbonne.com. If you want more info on the products, the wholesale buying option, the 45 day money back guarantee or anything else, just let me know. You can email me directly at ____@____.com you find relief soon!

V.

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T.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Is this your first? Rub pure vitamin e oil on your stomach regularly..I got the capsules and squeezed it out. It helps the itching, I have had 3 kids from 18 to 30 and no stretch marks anywhere on the stomach.

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A.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Yep, it's Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy - PUPPP. I had this, too, and it does go away shortly after delivery, but mine stuck around for awhile after. It is so itchy and sore....not fun! Talk to your doc but mine said to use hydrocortison cream.

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Moisturizer and any kind of itch relief cream. I didn't get them until after delivery and they itched so bad that I scratched at night in my sleep. My husband would wake up hearing me scratch and make me stop. Now I have lovely scars from them. :o) Good luck and God Bless

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B.B.

answers from Springfield on

my stretch marks itched. I kept them lubed with lotion (I think cocoa butter lotions are best, but I don't know why) and that seemed to help. If the redness doesn't go away soon, I would ask your OB. Congrats on the pregnancy.

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E.W.

answers from St. Louis on

PUPPPS. Sorry. I had it too. On the plus side, you only get them in your first pregnancy. Don't scratch because they can scar. Your OB will prescibe allergy medicine and you can use hydrocortisone cream (sparingly, it will lose effectiveness). It will go away after he is born.

This is more common if you are carrying a boy. Something to do with hormones.

Sorry again! Good luck.

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