A keloid is a growth of scar tissue which forms at the site of a skin injury. According to MedlinePlus, keloids are not hazardous to the health but can be simply cosmetically disfiguring. They form when connective tissue cells, called fibroblasts, become overactive in their repair and thus protrude from the skin, notes the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD). The removal and treatment of keloids is tricky, but there are options available.
Occurrence
Young men and women with darker skin types are more prone to keloid development, the reasons are largely unknown. The AOCD notes that some people -- about 10 percent of the population -- are more prone to keloid formation than others. Keloids can occur simply from an insect bite or from an acne pimple; they can form anywhere on the body, but are most common on the upper back, chest and shoulders.
Keloids vs. Hypertrophic
It is important to distinguish between keloids and hypertrophic scars. They look very similar, but hypertrophic are more common and less prominent in their appearance, not growing as large as keloids. Hypertrophic scars form in the same way, using connective tissues to cover the wound site, but they fade with time and are common in all racial groups, notes the AOCD.
Treatment
A number of treatments that can be used to reduce keloid size: Corticosteroid injections, a hormonal steroid, can be used to reduce inflammation. Freezing, or cryotherapy, with liquid nitrogen can also be used. Laser treatments and radiation can be used to lessen the redness of the scar tissue, notes the NHS website. Silicone gel pads or tape can be applied to the injury site and left on for 24 hours a day to help prevent keloids from forming.
Removal
Keloids are very difficult to treat. They can be removed using surgical techniques, but it is common for the scar to grow back even bigger than it was originally, as the same overproduction of connective tissues and collagen processes occur at the site. People with a family history of keloids are more at risk to their repeated occurrence, notes the ACOD. X-ray treatment at the site of removed keloids can be effective at preventing regrowth, notes DermNet NZ.
Considerations
If you believe that you are prone to keloid formation and it is in your family history, it is best to attempt to avoid lifestyle choices like tattoos and piercings as they can cause the formation of keloids. The first action to take upon the development of scar tissue is to identify if it is a keloid or a hypertrophic scar. Consult your doctor for diagnosis and the correct action to take.
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