Axillary and inguinal striae induced by systemic absorption of a topical corticosteroid.

A 21-year-old woman developed huge atrophic striae in the axillary and inguinal areas from the topical application, with occlusion, of potent corticosteroid preparation applied to the axillary or inguinal areas. It is postulated that the mechanism is systemic absorption of enough medication to produce a state of hyperadrenalism with subsequent striae formation as a sequela.