Stretch marks on son's back

[lorih1220]

My 15 year old son has had marks, which look like stretch marks, on his back for 6-8 months. He is tall and slim and has not gained or lost weight. I have read about Marfan Syndrome and he does have quite a few of those traits, however is ther eanything else it could possibly be? Thank you.

[NanAnn5]

Carol, can you please post more info in regard to Stretch marks on boys back's & Bartonella. I couldn't open the link you provided. thanks

[Carol in PA]

The Lyme Disease Association has changed their links.
Here is the current link for photos of Bartonella rash:
https://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/resources/medical-gallery/category/27-bartonella

Also, you can google for images of Bartonella rash.
Some of them are horizontal, as some people here have commented that they or their child have.

Bartonella has other symptoms too, which you can google for.

[Carol in PA]

These marks could also be from Bartonella.
Bartonella Rash Photos:  
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/PhotoAlbum_RashBart.html

You can google for more pictures and information.
Carol

[JenniferODaniel]

I know this is an old post but I had to comment on this. I was trying to find info about marks on my son's back that looked like stretch marks. Carol, I almost didn't pay any attention to your comment because stretch marks from rapid growth seemed logical. Then I looked up Bartonella just to be sure. I had never heard of it. I took my son the the doctor and he was diagnosed with Bartonella by a blood test. He is now being treated by a infectious disease specialist at children's hospital. He is very sick but he is getting medication to help him fight this bacteria. Thank you so much for this comment as it helped my son get treatment.

[Carol in PA]

Jennifer, I'm so glad that you looked into Bartonella for your son and got him tested.
You can do a search  for info about Bartonella to see how other people have handled it.
I hope your son does well with treatment.

[Carol in PA]

The Lyme Disease Association has changed their links.
Here is the current link for photos of Bartonella rash:
https://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/resources/medical-gallery/category/27-bartonella

Also, you can google for images of Bartonella rash.
Some of them are horizontal, as some people here have commented that they or their child have.

Bartonella has other symptoms too, which you can google for.

[lychelle4]

I see this message is years later? How long until diagnosed with bartonella? Was there a special test to get the diagnosis? My skinny 15-year-old daughter is had these marks on her back for two years and we can’t figure out what’s wrong with her. Mainly heart palpitations extreme anxiety and disassociation.

[Lo3462]

I have two sons now 30 and 24 both got the marks seemingly over night as teens. They are just stretch marks. Both are completely heathy men. Never even had an antibiotic. No worries. Bio oil is good. With age they fade. Vitamin c is good for heathy connective tissue.

[CatinCO]

Hi - I'm sorry for the delayed response. Somehow I wasn't notified of your reply or missed it in my email box. As the AKchic poster said (2010) I would get your son checked out for Marphan's. I'm told my son's stretch marks came from very rapid growth spurt, but I was very concerned because as I said in my older post, he does have some other Marphan's markers like Pectus, flat feet, very narrow palate. I should update you in that my son gained like 30 lbs - going from 130 to 160 lbs in less than 6 months and he now has more stretch marks on his back than before. I never thought he'd gain weight! If you can rule out any potential medical probs, I wouldn't worry about him being skinny. In other countries, he probably wouldn't be considered that skinny. That was the case with my son when we spent time in France. His pediatrician there told me he was the perfect weight whereas docs in U.S. were telling us he was underweight. It will be good for him when he's older and his metabolism slows down. My son partly gained weight for a bad reason - he broke his leg and had to have surgery so was seriously laid up for about 3 months and he ate A LOT and we also did a lot of small meals throughout the day because he wanted to gain weight. I was home a lot after surgery to care for him so had time to feed him more often. He's 6'2" and 159 lbs now 6 months since surgery (went into surgery at 128-130 lbs). Note that during his stay at Children's for surgery in May 2015, they did a whole heart workup to check for compromised aorta, vessels, etc. and said his heart was in great condition. They said no Marphan's. We did not do the genetic test to look at any changes in the FBN1 gene, which I understand can help diagnose Marphans.    

[tryla]

My son is 16 and has the marks on his back. It is like they suddenly appeared. It scares me because they have increased in number. He is tall and very skinny only 125 lbs. He can't gain weight.  Please let me know if you find out any new information. I am worried.

[CatinCO]

Thank you to all the posters on this topic! We're 2015 and the 2008 posts are still helpful. My son is now just shy of 15 and started developing the same stretch marks across his mid-back that several of you have described your sons as having developed. My son was examined at our Children's Hospital in Denver at about age 11 for Marfans Syndrome. They ruled it out at the time. He has several of the Marfan's markers but his heart didn't have any issues. They said though that he would need another heart exam at 15 so we'll be doing that soon and now these stretch marks have me so worried. They literally appeared over the course of a month or two. He has been growing like a weed and is now 6' 2" - tall and thin (130 lbs.) He already has pectus excavatum so is self-conscious about that and now add this :-(. I'm going to research the Bio-Oil topical - thanks for that information.    

[JNCL14]

HI! My son has the same thing  - he is 15 - did you ever get any answers???

[AKchic]

I have marfan sydrome and am very tall for my age and have tons of stretch marks please please if you think ur son may have marfan take him to a doctor I know I'm not a parent or even know you but still please read more on marfan if you really think he has it and also I know even more kids who don't look like they marfan at all and still have it. But then again I know alot of kids who look like they have it. If ur coincerned with the stretch marks please see a doctor I hope you read this and even if not I hope u found answers

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Are there other symptoms present? This could indeed be due to increased weight or height gain or underlying medical conditions mentioned above. Regular use of emollient or lotion may help but others have these for a long time. Have this checked by your doctor for proper evaluation. Take care and regards.

[bluedevil167]

p.s. will they disapear on their own or do i have to do something about them?

[bluedevil167]

hi i'm 16 and i have weird strech marks on my lower back and i think that they are starting to spread all over my back they are horizontal.they are not purple but the are a little pink just enought so that u can tell a difference from the good skin.i got them a few months ago. i told my parents about them but and they think it's form growing up too fast and it's true i have growen a lot.i'm 5.8 (175 cm) tall and i'm 55 kg(or something) i was always slim but now i'm told that i've gained a few pounds.2 years ago i was told to drink fish oil by a doctor to improve my weight.please help me i'm worried a lot.

[mandy6420]

these are also symptoms of a condition i also have . it is called elhers danlos syndrome type three and can cross over into marfans too

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Are there other symptoms present? Is there a history of food intolerance or allergies? The abrupt weight loss warrants further evaluation by his doctor. The marks could be stretch marks because of the weight changes but to be sure have him see your doctor for proper assessment. Direct clinical examination is important. Take care and do keep us posted.

[jewlya]

my son is 15, has seven large horizontal scars across his back.  i am hoping they are stretch marks.  he has grown about 2 in with in the last mo or so.  he is also having trouble eating.  everything hurts his stomach.  he is tall and thin and loosing weight, he lost a belt notch in one wk, three belt notches in three mo.  any encouragement?

[selmaS]

Hi, I was reading up on Marfan syndrome and besides being tall.....and some of the other symptoms, streach marks are also a symptom of Marfan's.

I do not kow much more, but I saw it after I saw this post and wanted to add this.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"

[Erly24]

Thank you - good info. Will follow up with his Dr. this month and will let you know our findings.

[rizzla91]

Hi again, I've recently started using Bio-oil which is a product designed to be used on stretch marks, scars etc. It is usually used by pregnant woman but can be used by anyone. My friend told me about it as he does bodybuilding and he said it is great for stretch marks.
They prevent new stretch marks from forming and improve the quality of current stretch marks. Google it and read reviews on the internet as it has very high ratings, I have only been using it for a week so can't really comment about how good it is but as far as reviews go it seems great as most people say it is very good and they have seen significant improvments. Only problem is its a bit pricey, you can buy it from somwhere like Boots. I have seen many products on the market for stretch marks and all reviews were not very good but this one seems great. Anyway I shall write again in about a month to tell you how I am getting on and if it has worked.
Hope that was helpful.

[lorih1220]

Hi, Actually just finished up with most of doctors...Thank God, they have pretty much ruled out Marfans. He had his heart checked with a cardioligist, it was fine, and the doctor was very thorough and checked him for hypermobility, and  looked at his body and hands and fingers and said he was fine. Also, the eye specialist ruled it out. He does, however, have Scoliosis. It is very mild, but still have to go see ortho doctor. And lastly, going to take him to dermatologist to see if they have any ideas about the marks. But for peace of mind, I do recommend ruling out the Marfans.....let me know if you have any questions and I would be happy to help...

[Erly24]

Hi -

My 16 yr old has the same thing. We have not gone to the doctor yet, and your post was the first time I've heard anything about Marfan Syndrome. He is otherwise completely healthy, and has no other marks on his body. His back is not sore or itchy. Have you had any questions answered by your doctor yet?  

[Ginger333]

Hi, My 15 year old son has the stretch marks too, he is tall and thin. I wondered if you have seen your doctor yet, and have any more information. We have an appointment next  week. I really thought it was just from growing taller quickly, but since I've googled it, I am worried about the Marfan Syndrome.

[lorih1220]

Thank you so much for writing. That is very good information, and my son does have an appointment with a dermatologist along with all the other doctors. So I am hopeful that the marks are just caused by growth spurts.

  And you are right, he is very self-conscious about taking off his shirt, It is a tough time, and I will tell him your story and hopefully it will help a little to know he is not the only one that has had to go through this.

  Again, thank you so much!

[rizzla91]

Hi, Im now 18 years old and I have had stretch marks on my back from the age of 14, I am now starting to get them on my chest and biceps. Anyway I have researched a lot on the internet, seen my GP and lots of experts and I think the main conclusion is that they can be caused by a rapid growth spurt through the teenage years and the skin cells can not reproduce quickly enough to keep up with the growth or the body. They could also be caused by hormonal imbalance. The best thing to do is to seek a skin specialist and take their advice.
          I doubt it is anything serious, but as a piece of advice I recomend that you keep reassuring your son that they don't look too bad because my main worry was what the girls would think when I took my shirt off and I was very uncomfortable when we went out to a beach or out on a hot day and my friends took their shirts off, I used to be and still am very embarresed by them and it can be a very emoitional time and raise self awarness at a time in life when a boy should be enjoying himself.