Blood Vessels on a Stretch Mark

Stretch marks are lines or streaks that appear due to the rapid stretching or shrinking of the skin.¹ Raised blood vessels, such as varicose veins and spider veins, are usually swollen or enlarged veins that appear just below the skin surface.²

Both stretch marks and raised blood vessels are common conditions that can be easily misidentified due to their similar discolored appearance. Learn the causes and signs of stretch marks and how to distinguish stretch marks vs spider veins and stretch marks vs varicose veins. 

Can Stretch Marks Look Like Raised Blood Vessels?

While the symptoms of stretch marks can vary based on the underlying cause, they initially appear as pink, purple, red, or brown indented streaks. They gradually fade and lighten over time and become less noticeable.³

Raised blood vessels typically appear as swollen and twisted bumps under the skin surface, appearing red, blue, purple, or skin-colored. This is why stretch marks in their early stages, which look like discolored, raised streaks, can be confused with raised blood vessels.⁴ 

A distinguishing factor between stretch marks and raised blood vessels is their location. Varicose and spider veins commonly develop in the legs, whereas stretch marks are usually found in the abdominal region. However, both can cause symptoms like pain and discomfort.⁵

Although these are independent conditions with different causes, they can develop simultaneously in certain situations like pregnancy.⁶

Causes and Indications of Raised Blood Vessels Over Stretch Marks

Stretch marks develop naturally when the connective tissue fibers in the middle layer of your skin are stretched too far or rapidly. This can happen due to certain natural phenomena like pregnancy, growth spurts, muscle building, and rapid weight gain or loss. Other medical stretch mark causes include hormonal imbalances, certain conditions (like Marfan’s or Cushing’s syndrome), and specific medications like steroids.⁷

In the early stages, the skin over the stretch mark becomes thinner and the underlying blood vessels become raised and visible.⁸ Stretch marks with such prominent blood vessels can indicate various conditions, such as:

Spider veins

Spider veins are tiny, web-like veins visible under the skin. They occur due to poor vein health. Stretch marks, in combination with spider veins, are very common in pregnancy, especially in the buttocks, thighs, legs, stomach, and breasts. Spider veins can be an indicator of poor circulation. They’re usually treated with sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and Ohmic thermolysis.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are large, engorged veins that develop due to valve failure, leading to blood pooling. This further weakens the vein walls and causes chronic venous insufficiency. The most common minimally invasive treatment options include Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA), Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), microfoam injection, cyanoacrylate, and phlebectomy.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis is a condition that causes inflammation of your blood vessels, leading to the thickening of the vessel walls and restricting blood flow. Depending on the cause, vasculitis can be of many types and affect multiple organ systems. The treatment for vasculitis usually involves corticosteroids.⁹

PUPPP rash

This irritating rash with a hive-like appearance often develops in the enlarged abdominal area during pregnancy. It generally develops in the third trimester when the abdomen is at its largest. 

Other risk factors for PUPPP stretch marks include:

• Having a male fetus
• Carrying twins or triplets
• Experiencing a first pregnancy
• Being of white ethnicity

While it’s harmless to the baby, it can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. This rash usually resolves on its own after delivery.¹⁰

Final Tips

Consult your healthcare provider for a detailed analysis of your condition and to determine which treatment is best suited to your healthcare needs.

If this article answers some of your questions, visit My Vein Treatment today for more useful articles or to find a vein specialist near you. 

SOURCES:

1. Healthline: “Stretch Marks on the Inner Thigh.”
2. Cleveland Clinic: “Bulging Veins.”
3. Healthline: “Stretch Marks on the Inner Thigh.”
4. Mayo Clinic: “Stretch Marks.”
5. Mayo Clinic: “Stretch Marks.”
6. Mayo Clinic: “Stretch Marks.”
7. Healthline: “Stretch Marks on the Inner Thigh.”
8. Healthline: “Stretch Marks on the Inner Thigh.”
9. Biomedicines: “Vasculitis: From Target Molecules to Novel Therapeutic Approaches.”
10. Cleveland Clinic: “PUPPP Rash.”