Striae of pregnancy

Striae may form on the skin due to a number of factors: rapid weight gain, muscle hypertrophy, endocrinopathies, breast enlargement, as a side effect of long-term topical use of strong corticosteroids. However, in some rare circumstances, striae can develop as a complication due to the use of tissue expanders. This cosmetic defect develops most often on the skin of the thighs, abdomen, mammary glands in women and the shoulders in men. Striae of pregnancy are a common cosmetic skin defect. The development of striae is associated with stretching and rupture of connective tissue in susceptible individuals against the background of influence of genetic and hormonal factors. The appearance of striae gravidarum does not have a significant effect on the health of patients, however, a cosmetic defect caused by the appearance of striae can generate psychoemotional (psychoemotional) stress and lead to a decrease in quality of life. The striae development occurs in certain stages. The initial period of striae development – red (immature) striae – is characterized by the absence of changes in the epidermis and signs of inflammation in the dermis. The appearance of white (mature) striae is accompanied by the architectural distortion of elastic fibre net and changes in the viscoelastic properties of the affected skin, which becomes much less elastic. The correction of striae requires topical treatment that help moisturize and soften the skin, stimulate the processes of collagen production, as well as physiotherapy techniques. However, many of them have contraindications for use during pregnancy. The article discusses the issues of the use of cosmetic products that can be used during pregnancy.

A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF TOPICAL APPLICATION OF CERTAIN INDIGENOUS DRUGS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF KIKKISA

The woman is the most artistic creation of our creator. She carries pride in her appearance & gains confidence by maintaining her beauty also is equally esteemed about motherhood. For every woman, pregnancy is the most important & pleasurable phase of life, as this is the time she evolves as a mother. This comes with several inevitable changes in her appearance like weight gain, skin changes & whatnot. Kikkisa is one such physiological skin changes of pregnancy. Kikkisa is a skin manifestation in 3rd trimester of pregnancy seen in about 90 % of pregnancies. This is co-related with striae gravidarum presenting as stretch marks on abdomen, thighs and breasts associated with itching, burning sensation, dryness & discolouration. Though not a disease, it does seek a lot of attention for the symptoms are very disturbing to women. Hence, an efficient & easy method was selected in our study for treating kikkisa. Objectives: To assess the effect of the application of raktachandanadi churna with lakshadi taila over the abdomen in the management of kikkisa. Study design:30 pregnant women from 28 weeks of gestation diagnosed with kikkisa were selected & given to apply Raktachandanadi churna with Lakshadi taila over abdomen half an hour before bath for 2 months. Result: After trial, marks became less prominent but not reduced completely. We found an effective reduction in symptoms like itching (93.1%), dryness (95.45%), burning sensation (78.6%), & discolouration (57.6%), without causing any changes in the texture of the skin. Keywords: Kikkisa, Striae gravidarum, Raktachandanadi churna, Lakshadi taila

Striae gravidarum and the Seynsche constitution (Zentr. F. Gyn., 1926, no. 27)

Having traced in 250 women the relationship between the tendency to form pregnancy scars and the woman's constitution, Seynsche (Zentr. F. Gyn., 1926, no. 27) found that there is a certain relationship between them, namely, in women with a clearly expressed female type, this tendency expressed much more sharply than in male-type women. The number of pregnancies in women does not have a significant effect on scar formation; a secondary role in this process is played by the age when a woman has her first birth.