Temporary Lines/Stretch Marks?

[cabinman]

Hello,

For the past few years I'v been having a host of systemic symptoms (visual disturbances that are neurological in nature, red itchyk skin on legs, tinnitus) that has gone undiagnosed.

The past 3-4 weeks I have been getting what appear to be stretch marks that come for about 3-4 hours then disappear. They are maybe 5-8 inches in length and have happened on my thigh, around an ankle and on my cheek. My first case of this is a real big stretch mark under my right arm pit, which has stayed and not left. This one is permanent.

Has anyone heard of this? They definitely look like stretch marks because they are dark, have missing "substance" underneath them if you rub your finger over it, but if you come back a few hours later they start to disappear and then go away and things go back to looking and feeling normal in the affected area.

Thank you!

[cabinman]

Hi Dr. Kaur,

I just got back from the dermatologist and he said I appear fine. He didn't mention any of the above conditions and just said "there is no such thing as temporary stretch marks". I did not like how quickly dismissive of me and my concerns he was.

I checked out Dermatographism and I have something that appears to be the inverse of that. Meaning my lines go down into my skin, not creating raised lines. These things are more lines than blotches, so it may not be hives (the dermatologist didn't say anything about hives either).

I'll will post back with any test results or change in the condition

Thank you!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such rashes which appear and disappear can be due to hives and if it is presenting as scratch like marks then dermatographism is an important possibility. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places.

Dermatographism is swelling of the skin even on touching. It can be caused by stress, tight or abrasive clothing, watches, glasses, energetic kissing, heat, cold, or anything that causes stress to the skin.

I suggest you to get it checked from a dermatologist and get both these conditions ruled out.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.