No one can predict how a wound will heal. As the skin tries to repair itself, a fairly complex growth process ensues. The body produces blood vessels, fibroblasts, elastic fibers and other proteins to mend the extracellular matrix of your skin. For most people, the body stops this process once the wound has healed. Sometimes, however, the body continues to produce collagen fibers, causing scar tissue to grow beyond the margins of the injury site, which forms a keloid.
Symptoms
Besides scar tissue forming beyond the margins of the original wound, most keloids are darker in color than the surrounding skin. Some people also experience itchiness along the scar tissue, while others may even suffer periodic pain. If you notice these symptoms, talk to a doctor. Early treatment often improves the prognosis for dealing with keloids.
Diet
Evidence does not suggest that caffeine has any effect on keloids. Restricting intake neither prevents their formation nor aids in their treatment. In fact, no mention is made of caffeine — or any other stimulant, for that matter — in the July 2010 article on nutrition and keloids in “Nutrition Reviews,” a journal of the International Life Sciences Institute. Associations may exist between keloid formation and fatty acids. The same can be said for soluble fibers and phytochemicals, but further research is needed to determine if diet-based therapy can help with keloids.
Preventing Flareups
As of 2011, medical intervention is the only means of preventing flareups of keloids. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, wrapping a wound in pressure dressing can sometimes thwart their formation. Corticosteroids may also help to prevent keloids, notes the American Academy of Family Physicians. Corticosteroids are administered directly to the injury site to keep the scar tissue flush with the rest of your skin. You may see some benefit from silicone gel pads or paper tape, as well. Talk to your doctor to determine the method best suited to your needs.
Treating Keloids
After keloid formation, it’s often difficult to minimize their size. This doesn’t mean it’s not possible, but it can take a great deal of time to see an improvement. As with prevention, a medical professional can help to minimize keloids with corticosteroid shots. Cryosurgery — or freezing the scar — may also help to reduce scar tissue. Laser therapy and surgeries can be used, as well. These options, however, are typically reserved for larger keloids.
References
- MedlinePlus: Keloids
- American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars
- FamilyDoctor.org: Keloids
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Types of Scars and How to Minimize Their Visibility
- Nutrition Reviews; Keloids: a New Challenge for Nutrition; A.C. Ferreira, et al.
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