A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that occurs over an injury or wound. Keloids are firm but fleshy and can grow even beyond the wounded skin area. If you have a scar that seems large and raised, you might have a keloid. Keloids are usually not dangerous to your health, but you can consult your doctor about the different treatment options for reducing or getting rid of the scar tissue.
Identification
Keloids are skin lesions that form after a wound or injury heals, according to the National Institutes of Health. The keloid scar may appear reddish, pinkish or flesh-colored and can be as small as 1 inch or much larger. Keloids tend to most commonly develop on your earlobes, neck, chest, scalp, shoulders and upper back, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The scars may feel ridged or bumpy, eventually widening to grow outside the original area of the wound. You may notice that the keloid scar is itchy, painful or tender.
Causes
The exact cause of keloid scars is unknown, but basically they occur when the scar tissue forming over an injury grows out of control as the proteins involved in the skin-healing process continue to multiply, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You can develop keloids after suffering a wide variety of skin injuries, such as those caused by chickenpox, acne, surgical wounds, scratches and cuts, deep wounds, vaccination injections, ear piercings, burns or tattoos, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Significance
You are at a much higher risk for developing keloid scars if you’re 10 to 30 years old and African-American, Asian or Hispanic, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Keloids are also more typical among people who have a family history of these types of scars. The most common group to develop keloid scars are young African-American women, notes the National Institutes of Health. If you develop multiple, repeated keloids, your doctor may diagnose you with keloidosis. Although keloids are mostly cosmetic eyesores and not detrimental to your health, you could experience mobility problems due to large keloids, pain or discomfort or psychological issues from keloids that are disfiguring.
Prevention/Solution
No true “cure” for keloid scars exists, but certain medical procedures may reduce the appearance of the scar tissue. Freezing the keloid scar through cryosurgery, excising the scar tissue or using laser therapy may help reduce or get rid of your keloid, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Corticosteroid injections and radiation treatments could also decrease the size of the keloid, notes the National Institutes of Health. Your doctor may recommend using compression dressings to flatten the keloid, taking intralesional fluorouracil, receiving interferon-alfa injections into the keloid or using imiquimod cream to prevent keloid re-growth, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Considerations
Keep in mind that your doctor may need to perform a biopsy on the keloid scar to determine whether the growth is cancerous or indicative of another skin condition, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. If you’re prone to keloids, you can take certain preventive measures like avoiding elective cosmetic surgeries, tattoos and piercings. You can also use imiquimod cream after surgery to prevent keloids from forming, according to the National Institutes of Health. Avoiding cuts, scrapes, injuries and other traumas to your skin, as well as treating skin wounds immediately can also help prevent keloid scars.
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