A keloid scar is a growth of tissue which protrudes from the surface of the skin. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, it is caused by fibroblasts--connective tissue cells--being overactive during the repairing of the wound and producing excess amounts of tissue. Successful removal of a keloid is difficult, and for people who are prone to their development, keloids can arise from damage as small as that caused by a piercing.
Those At Risk
England's National Health Service website notes that people between the ages of 10 and 30 and those with darker skin tones are more at risk from developing keloids. Keloids can be hereditary, and although they often appear on the upper torso, a person prone to keloids may develop one from a piercing anywhere on the body.
Identity
According to ACOD, it is possible to confuse a keloid scar with a hypertrophic scar. These scars are far more common, growing in all skin types and ages, and look deceptively similar to keloids. However, hypertrophic scars do not grow as large as keloids and will often fade over time. They can also be more easily removed, with no risk of re-growth.
Removal
ACOD reports of the difficulty of removing keloids due to their common regrowth. If a piercing has developed on an earlobe a doctor will often attempt to surgically remove it. To pre-empt regrowth surgeons can use steroid injections or drugs called alpha-interferons immediately after removal. X-rays of varying strengths such as electron beam radiotherapy or orthovoltage radiation can be applied directly at the scar site -- again immediately after removal and -- according to ACOD, have an 85 percent success rate of stopping regrowth.
Reduction
Doctors who do not want to risk removal because of regrowth prospects may attempt to reduce the size of the keloid. In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth via a cotton ball for up to two minutes. This treatment can be combined with cortisone injections directly into the keloid every month. These natural hormones interrupt the inflammatory response and speed healing. Monthly injections can produce a difference quickly and the keloid can become completely flat within six months, notes ACOD.
Considerations
If you are prone to keloids, immediately after a piercing or skin injury apply silicone dressing or steroid-laced paper to the site to stop keloid formation. Avoiding piercings and tattoos altogether may be wise if keloids run in your family. If you have a growth scar, consult your doctor to get it properly diagnosed and discuss the best cause of action.
If you already have keloids, keep them well protected from the sun, as UV exposure can discolor them and make them more unsightly, notes Medline Plus.
