Keloids raise scars. They form on healed skin. They can grow larger than the wound that caused the scar. They are rare but more common in dark-skinned people.
Scarring can cause a keloid. Severe acne, wounds, or burns. Surgery, tattoos, and piercings can also cause keloids. Keloids may form three months after skin injury. Some grow for years.
Keloids exhibit:
1. Grow. Keloid symptoms may occur three to twelve months later. Growth continues for weeks or months. Some grow slowly for years.
2. Appear as a raised pink, red, or purple scar. Flat keloid scars are raised. Color darkens over time. The border usually gets darker than the skin.
3. Stand out. Doughy, squishy keloids exist. Some are rubbery.
4. Cause irritation. When forming, some keloids may be itchy, stinging, or unpleasant to touch. These symptoms usually disappear as the keloid stops growing.
Keloids can appear anywhere. They usually appear on the neck, shoulders, chest, back, and ears. They range from 12 to 1 inch.
Are keloids preventable?
Keloids-prone people should avoid tattoos and piercings. Pressure-sensitive earrings reduce earlobe scarring after piercing.
Keloids treatment
Therapy reduces, softens, or flattens keloids. Keloid removal is difficult. They may return after therapy. Often doctors combine therapy for optimum results. Treatments:
Corticosteroid shots.
These injections reduce scarring.
2. Icing scars.
Cryotherapy reduces keloid size and hardness. Tiny keloids respond well.
3. Silicone sheets or gel over the scar. Flattens the keloid.
Lasers.
Keloid flattening may ensue. Color may fade.
Excision.
This requires keloid removal. Most keloids return after therapy.
6. Pressure-therapy
Post-keloid surgery pressure reduces blood flow. This may stop keloid growth.
Some therapies work. Discuss treatment options with your doctor.
