Strange red marks appearing on left side of ribs...

[Lotus266012]

Hi I'm a 27yr old female. Today I was in the middle of my shower when I noticed these two strange marks that appeared on the left side of my ribs. They're not scaly, itchy or sore but from where I could see them they looked like dents - almost as if someone has been trying to slash me! Excuse the description but that is what they look like!! Another thing as well is that I noticed a few white stretch marks that were coming from the lower mark.

I have got a photo I took of the marks with my iPod if anyone wishes to see, but it's very worrying as to why I have these.

Previous conditions - I had infantile eczema, dermatitis, hip tendonitis and a recent underactive thyroid -- the underactive thyroid was flagged up on a routine blood test for anemia and has since gone down.

Other symptoms -- I do have irregular periods, muscle pains in my upper arm, and I sleep a lot of the time. If it is something caused by an underactive thyroid I thought I would have to be more than my ideal weight? Well, that's what I've read up about when googling "underactive thyroid".

Any help is greatly welcomed.

Thanks!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Weight gain as well as weight loss can cause stretch marks.

Regards.

[Lotus266012]

Hi there, thanks for your advice. I do have stretch marks on both sides of my hips but they're of a silvery-white colour. They're very thin and spidery and the skin itself looks quite crepe-like.

The red marks in question gradually went away but they went on their own. I have lost some weight, is there any chance that as I've lost weight they might've appeared?

Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
One of the possibilities for your symptoms and from your history is of stretch marks. Stretch marks occurs when the dermis (2nd layer of the skin) are frequently or continuously stretched causing tearing of the skin and lead to scarring. These marks happen commonly during pregnancy, weight gain, muscle building, on areas of the upper arms, breasts, abdomen, lower back, hips and thighs. There are many treatment choices available for stretch marks like over-the-counter creams or lotions, tretinoin cream, laser therapy etc.

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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.