Red Stripes/lines/bumps on lower body/upper arm

[RavenSEAL]

Hey guys,

Today I had a small freakout moment with one of my cousins when me and his aunt were hanging around. It seems like he's had this issue for a few months but never told anyone.

He's scheduled for a doctor's appointment on Monday but was wondering if anyone has a clue what this stuff might be. He's a bit chubby but relatively healthy, barely gets sick actually. He says he hasn't felt any symptoms that could be related to the marks. No itching either.

I convinced him to let me take a few pictures:

Thanks for any tips/advice you can give.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Stretch marks

 

[drteming]

Yep, stretch marks, or in medical term, striae, Those look recent. He must have gained a significant amount of weight relatively fast.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Huh...figured. I just didn't expect them to be so red...

Anyway to help him tone them down a little bit or is that just going to happen over time?

 

[highland145]

Like scars, over time will fade.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Huh...figured. I just didn't expect them to be so red...

Anyway to help him tone them down a little bit or is that just going to happen over time?

Well, look at a fresh forming scar - they're very pink and larger than normal. As they mature, they'll become smaller and more of an inert-looking white. They're likely stretch marks. Has he gained weight recently? If not, then I'd keep the doctor's appointment.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Well, look at a fresh forming scar - they're very pink and larger than normal. As they mature, they'll become smaller and more of an inert-looking white. They're likely stretch marks. Has he gained weight recently? If not, then I'd keep the doctor's appointment.

Yes he has.

 

[tedrodai]

Yeah it took me all of 3 seconds to decide those are stretch marks in all likely hood. Then I showed it to my doctor wife and she said "looks like stretch marks". That's not an official diagnosis mind you, but yeah, that's what new stretch marks look like.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Yep I have those marks too on my legs. I guess this started because I started exercising recently.