What is Keloid?

When a skin injury occurs, a fibrous scar tissue is formed over the wound. This helps in wound repair by providing protection to the injury.  In some cases the scar tissue grows excessively and results in formation of a smooth and hard growth. These growths are called Keloids, which can be larger than the original wound.
Keloids are commonly found on the chest, shoulders, earlobes and cheeks but they can affect any part of the body.  Though not harmful to the patient’s health , it creates cosmetic and aesthetic concern.

Symptoms

The symptoms occur at the site of injury site and some of them include:

• Injured  area turns either flesh-coloured, pink or red.
• The affected skin turns lumpy.
• Thickened skin at the site of injury.
• This area continues to grow larger with the scar tissue.
• Itchy.
• Might experience discomfort, tenderness or irritation from clothes or other substances through friction
• In rare cases, restriction of movement of affected area.

Causes

Keloid scarring can occur from different types of skin injuries like :

• Burns
• Pimples
• Chickenpox scars
• Ear piercing
• Scratches
• Surgical incision sites
• Vaccination sites
• Hereditary if one or both parents have them.

Treatments

Keloids are caused as a result of the body’s attempt to treat itself. So there are chances of them reappearing and growing to a size larger than before.

• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
• Application os moisturizers on the keloid to make it softer.
• Pressure application or silicone gel pads once the wound is healed.
• Cryotherapy or Cryosurgery – where extreme cold is applied to kill the skin cells.
• Laser Treatments will help in reducing the scar tissue.

To distinguish between keloids & hypertrophic scars and effective treatments, contact Skinsecrets @ 7560907255,7025066555

Authored By: Dr.Anjana Mohan