Itchy stretch marks question...

[nkcaump 0]

Wow... with a title like that, I am sure this will be the most popular thread EVER!!!

Actually, I have a semi-serious question. I'm 2 weeks post-op and about 5 weeks into losing some weight. I've lost about 22 pounds so far. Which is great.

Here's my problem... my fatty-guy stretch marks itch like HELL. They itch under my armpits and around my belly. (Gotta be careful cuz of the scars...)

Is there a proven method to relieve these and possibly heal these stretch marks or at least make them better as my body begins to snap back to its "normal" size??

[TulipStar 2]

<p>I had the same itchy...all around my belly & the scars. I memorized the scars on my stomach so I could itch like a maniac around them, even in my sleep. What helped me was to moisturize the area. It was itchy because it was dry (I am also slightly allergic to adhesive from the bandages). The moisturizer helped a lot and the itching has almost stopped completely.</p> <p> </p> <p>I lost over 100lbs about 4 years ago and I moisturized religously everyday with Nivea for skin tightening. I think that it worked pretty well. The only thing is that stretch marks never go completely away, but they can get lighter and less noticeable. I also had surgery to remove the excess adominable skin and this removal of skin and fat actually removed the stretch marks (bc the skin was removed).</p>

Oh yeah, and tanning works for some people too...however, it can work against some. When I tanned, my stretch marks blended in with my skin. I do have friends who have the opposite happen (they tan and their stretch marks get darker, pinker, or whiter and show up more than before).

[jfran 0]

i heard that cocoa butter works wonders for stretch marks. It makes them fade and I would think the moisture aspect would help with the itching.

[Wheetsin 714]

Stretchmarks can become less noticeable, but will never go away unless as a previous poster mentioned, the skin is removed.

Hydration should help with the itchies. You can also try something like Calamine lotion. If you go the moisturizer route, you may as well use a good quality soothing lotion, something like Aveeno or another brand that uses colloidal oatmeal oils might do wonders.

[Jachut 487]

It must be like the opposite of being pregnant, when your stretched out skin can get very itchy. I itched like mad, but never got stretch markes.

Moisturising helped, as did anything cold. YOu know those things full of blue gel that you freeze for wrapping around food in a portable fridge - I had a big one of those in the freezer to lay over my tummy. Probably not that pleasant for the inhabitant, lol.

[lauren0728 0]

I have two words for u.... Vitamin E!!! this is the BEST moisturizing agent, you can buy the straight up oil, or a lotion fortified with it. If dryness is the culpret of ur ichyness this will cure it!!

GOOOOD LUCK!