You can use body piercing as a way to highlight certain parts of your body, to decorate your body or to draw attention to yourself. However, one unwanted side effect of a new piercing can be the formation of keloid scarring -- raised, discolored lumps or bumps on the skin.
Keloids
Keloids are a kind of overgrown scar tissue that results in a raised, discolored area of skin that can be either ridged or lumpy in texture. Common causes of keloids are injury to the skin, surgery, wounds, acne, chickenpox, burns and needle puncture of the skin, such as happen with both vaccinations and body piercings.
Risk Factors
According to MedLine Plus, certain groups of people are relatively more susceptible to keloids forming as a result of body piercing or other skin injury. A tendency toward keloids can run in families. Also, people of African descent are relatively more likely to develop keloids, and young women of any racial background are also more likely to get keloids.
Prevention/Solution
According to the Mayo Clinic website, you can reduce the risk of keloid scarring by following a careful and stringent regime of piercing aftercare. Take care of your new piercing by cleaning the area at least once every day with antibacterial soap; make sure your hands are clean before touching your piercing or its jewelry. Minimize snagging and tearing of your new piercing, which can lead to keloid scarring, by wearing loose clothing and toweling yourself gently and carefully after bathing.
Treatment
If you experience significant keloid scarring at or near the site of a piercing, there are several possible treatment options. Many keloid scars will go away without medical intervention. Persistent keloids can be removed by corticosteroid injections, freezing, laser therapy, pressure or radiation. Surgical keloid removal is another option, although this treatment carries a risk of causing greater keloid scarring at the surgery site.
Warning
Piercing is not a risk-free activity, and you should always minimize your risks of developing post-piercing complications, including keloid scarring. Have your piercing done at a reputable and clean establishment, and follow aftercare instructions. If you are concerned about scarring, swelling or possible infection at the site of your piercing, do not hesitate to seek medical advice.
