Keloid Scar

Keloids are thick, raised scars that can appear on the skin after an injury. These scars often show up on places like earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, and the chest. If you're more likely to get keloids, you might develop them in multiple spots.

Keloids aren't dangerous to your health, but they can sometimes be upsetting because of how they look or feel. It's best to prevent them or get treatment early.

There are ways to treat keloids. If you're bothered by a keloid, talking to a doctor about options to make it flatter or to remove it entirely is a good idea. Even with treatment, keloids can last for a long time, and sometimes they might come back.

Keloid scars can develop anywhere from a few months to several years after an injury. They often show up as noticeable changes in the skin. These changes include:

• Thick and uneven: The scar tissue is usually thicker than normal skin and has an uneven, bumpy surface. Common places for keloids to form include the earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, and the middle of the chest.

• Smooth, hairless, and raised: Keloids can appear as raised, lumpy areas of skin that are smooth and don't have much hair growing on them.

• Different sizes: The size of the keloid depends on the initial wound and how long it's been growing. Some are small, while others can be quite large.

• Different textures: Keloids can feel soft, firm, or even rubbery to the touch.

• Different colors: Keloids can be various shades of red, brown, or purple, depending on your skin tone.

• Itching and discomfort: Sometimes, keloids cause itching or a feeling of discomfort.

Early treatment is key to controlling keloid growth. If you notice a keloid developing, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you already have a keloid that's been present for a while, seeing a dermatologist (a doctor specializing in skin conditions) is recommended for appropriate treatment options.

Keloids can often be smaller if treated early. See a doctor as soon as you notice a keloid forming. If you already have a keloid that's been there for a while, it's best to see a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin problems). A dermatologist can discuss different treatment options for existing keloids.

Keloid scars are a tricky skin issue. Scientists aren't certain exactly why they happen, but most believe it's a problem with how the body heals wounds. Our bodies use a protein called collagen to help heal cuts and scrapes. Normally, this process works smoothly. But sometimes the body makes too much collagen, leading to the formation of a keloid.

Many things can trigger a keloid. This includes injuries like insect bites, acne, injections, piercings, burns, hair removal, and even minor scrapes or bruises. In some cases, a keloid appears without any apparent cause.

Importantly, keloids are neither contagious nor cancerous. This means they can't be spread from person to person, and they aren't a sign of a more serious illness.

Keloids are different from another type of scar called a hypertrophic scar. A hypertrophic scar stays within the area where the original injury was. Often, these scars will gradually fade on their own over time without any treatment. Keloids, on the other hand, often grow beyond the original wound area and may not fade away.

Keloids are raised, sometimes itchy, scars that can form after injuries like cuts or surgery. Certain factors make some people more prone to developing them.

One risk factor is having brown or black skin. While the exact reason why keloids are more common in people with darker skin tones isn't fully understood, it's a known link.

Another risk factor is a family history of keloids. If keloids run in your family, you might have a genetic predisposition to them. This means if someone in your family has keloids, you have a higher chance of developing them too. Even if you've already had one keloid, you're more likely to develop another.

Finally, being younger, specifically between the ages of 20 and 30, is also a risk factor. This suggests that your body's healing response might be more prone to forming keloids during this period of life.

Keloids near a joint can sometimes form tough, inflexible tissue. This can make it harder to move the joint smoothly and comfortably. Essentially, the extra scar tissue can get in the way of the joint's normal range of motion.

If you're more likely to get keloids, here's how to take care of your skin to help prevent them:

Avoid skin injuries: Try not to hurt your skin. This means thinking twice about getting body piercings, tattoos, and unnecessary surgeries. Even small injuries like ingrown hairs, cuts, or scrapes can trigger keloid growth.

Talk to your doctor about surgery: If you need surgery, tell your doctor about your tendency to get keloids. Your doctor can use special techniques during the operation to lower the chances of a keloid forming at the surgical site.

Follow post-surgical instructions carefully: After any surgery, ask your doctor about the best way to care for your skin afterward. Be sure to follow their instructions precisely. This can significantly reduce the risk of keloids developing.

Doctors can usually identify keloids by examining the affected area. A skin biopsy might be needed to make sure it's not something else, like skin cancer. This biopsy is a small sample of skin taken for testing under a microscope. This test helps doctors rule out any other potential skin conditions.

Keloid Scars: Treatments and Potential Solutions

Keloids are raised, sometimes itchy scars that can appear after injury or surgery. They can be frustrating, as they often return even after treatment, and sometimes grow larger. Different approaches may be helpful, and sometimes a combination of methods works best. Important to remember is that even successful treatment doesn't guarantee the keloid won't come back.

Here are some common treatment options:

• Corticosteroid Cream: A doctor might prescribe a strong corticosteroid cream to apply to the keloid. This can help reduce itching.

• Cortisone Injections: For smaller keloids, a doctor might inject cortisone or similar steroids directly into the scar. This can help shrink the keloid. You'll likely need several injections over several months (up to six months) for noticeable results. Possible side effects include thinner skin, visible veins, and changes in skin color (either lighter or darker).

• Freezing (Cryotherapy): Small keloids can sometimes be reduced or removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Several treatments might be needed. Side effects include blisters, pain, and possible changes in skin color.

• Laser Treatment: Larger keloids can be flattened using a laser. This treatment can also help reduce itching and make the keloid less noticeable. Multiple laser sessions are usually needed, spaced a few weeks apart (4-8 weeks). Doctors might combine laser therapy with cortisone injections for better results. Side effects, more common in people with darker skin, include changes in skin color, blistering, and crusting.

• Radiation Therapy: Low-level radiation, either alone or after surgery, can help reduce the size of a keloid. This may require multiple treatments. Side effects include skin problems and, less commonly, a risk of cancer later in life.

• Surgical Removal: If other treatments haven't worked, surgery might be an option. However, surgery alone has a high chance of the keloid returning (between 45% and 100% recurrence rate). Often, surgery is used in combination with other methods for better results.

Natural Remedies and Ongoing Research:

There are no scientifically proven natural ways to remove keloids. While some studies have explored onion extract, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Scientists are actively researching different approaches to better understand and treat keloids:

• New Topical Treatments: Researchers are exploring new creams and injections that might prevent keloid growth.

• Botox: Some research suggests that Botox (botulinum toxin type A) might improve wound healing and possibly reduce keloid formation.

• Genetic Markers: Scientists are trying to identify specific genes that may influence keloid formation. Understanding these genetic markers could lead to more targeted treatments.

• Stem Cell Therapy: Early research suggests that stem cell therapy might play a role in keloid treatment.

It's crucial to discuss treatment options with a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional. They can assess your specific situation and recommend the best course of action.