Keloids scars are raised, usually red growths that develop at an injury site. During normal scar development, connective tissue forms to hold a wound together and the tissue stops growing once the wound is closed. A keloid develops when this connective tissue continues to grow beyond what is necessary and forms a mound above the surface of the skin. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, keloid scars can occur on any part of the body and affect approximately 10 percent of people.
Step 1
Apply a pressure dressing or gel pad over a developing scar if the formation appears to be excessive. This may prevent the keloid from growing larger, provided you leave the dressing in place for 23 hours each day.
Step 2
Visit your doctor for cortisone injections to gradually reduce the size of your keloid. Cortisone injections typically must be repeated once a month for at least three months to be effective, and complete correction of the keloid is unlikely.
Step 3
Undergo cryosurgery to correct small keloids that develop on light skin. During cryosurgery, your keloid will be frozen with liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent, causing it to fall away from your skin.
Step 4
Ask your doctor about surgical removal of your keloid scar. Depending on the location of your scar, surgery is an effective method of keloid correction, especially when followed by an injection of alpha-interferon into the scar site.
Step 5
Correct very large keloids with a combination of surgery and radiation treatment. This treatment option is generally reserved for scars that cover a large area of the body, such as those that develop over large burns, or that interfere with mobility or functioning. The type of radiation used does not penetrate the body deep enough to affect internal organs, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology states. In addition, it's effective in preventing keloid recurrence in about 85 percent of cases.
Member Comments