Is This A Symptom?

[LadyBugLuv]

Just wondering...

I had lost about 20lbs 2 years ago or so, and it was then that I developed 4 vertical red lines on my lower abdomen. Since then I've developed a lot more. I did put the weight on, and off again. But they didn't develop when I gained weight, but lost it. Odd. Almost remind me of when someone has a baby, but I never have been pregnant, and am currently not pregnant.

I have recently been diagnosed w/ antibodies against gliadin (gluten), and though it was through a saliva test, was told that that is celiac. I have not had blood work.

I remember, several years back, I worked w/ a girl who was diagnosed w/ celiac, and she was super skinny, and she complained about her stretch marks on her abdomen (she even showed me). Mine look similar.

Just wasn't sure if this was a random thing, or was related to celiac.

thanks for your feedback .

[SLB5757]

I had this for quite some time post baby. My son is now 4, and I do not see this at all. I wouldn't say it was a Stretch Mark however. Just a reddish line that ran all the way down to my pubic bone. It seemed like it took forever to go away - maybe a few years. If you have any young children - maybe it is just the hormone levels in your body still a little elevated from childbirth (my novice advice).

[LadyBugLuv]

I had this for quite some time post baby. My son is now 4, and I do not see this at all. I wouldn't say it was a Stretch Mark however. Just a reddish line that ran all the way down to my pubic bone. It seemed like it took forever to go away - maybe a few years. If you have any young children - maybe it is just the hormone levels in your body still a little elevated from childbirth (my novice advice).

Well, thanks....

there are quite a few of them, and no, no children . No miscarriages either.

I was on bc, and was having major issues w/ that, and stopped about a year ago. they started when I was on it. but I had been on it for a while, (2.5 years or a little more at that point... started it when I got married).

thanks

[julirama723]

Sounds like stretch marks to me. I do not know if there is a correlation between celiac and stretch marks.

You don't have to have had children, or even be overweight to get them. It has a lot to do with genetics and skin elasticity. I first got stretch marks on my breasts during puberty--I guess they grew too quickly for my skin to "stretch" safely? I also have a ton of stretch marks from losing a massive amount of weight (roughly 100 pounds.) I've never had a baby.

You don't notice stretch marks when you gain weight, you notice them when you lose it. It's just like worn-out elastic; you can't tell that it isn't stretchy anymore until it's held slack. Stretch marks first appear red or pink, and generally will fade to a whitish/translucent/opalescent color. If you have pale skin, they appear more red, if you tan, they appear more white.

I know that there are a few things that supposedly help decrease the visibility of stretch marks. Try rubbing cocoa butter on them. A technique called dry brushing also is reputed to work; even if it doesn't make stretch marks less visible it has many other benefits. Also, stay hydrated, and consume good fats.