What is it about ?
Scarring is a spontaneous repair mechanism after skin damage due to trauma, surgery, or disease. New skin is then formed or the damaged tissue is replaced by connective tissue, thus forming a scar. This does not only happen with the epidermis, but also with damaged skin layers deeper down.
Sometimes scarring can occur beyond the boundaries of the original wound and appear as a large, discolored bead or skin growth. This is then what is called a keloid scar. Once the keloid scar is formed, its size will not spontaneously decrease.
The origin of keloid scars is not well known.
What is its frequency?
Keloid scars are more common in young women under the age of 30 and in people with dark skin. They are also found more often in certain families, which suggests a hereditary predisposition. The wound infection and the pressure on the wound increase the risk of keloid formation. If you have ever had a keloid scar, it is very likely that you would still develop it if the skin was damaged again.
How to recognize it?
Excessive scar growth usually begins 3 to 4 weeks after an injury to the skin. Favorite places are the earlobes (pierced ears!), Chest (acne), shoulders, chin, neck and legs. A scar appears and enlarges then becomes, after months or years, an abnormally colored growth or bead, red to brown. Keloids are usually not painful. They may itch or limit the movement of the skin. Above all, they can be unsightly.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of keloid is almost always obvious. The doctor will pay particular attention to any cosmetic or other complaints.
What can you do ?
There are a lot of ointments and creams on the market for scar and keloid formation. None of them have proven their effectiveness. If you’ve already developed a keloid scar, avoid piercings and tattoos. Seriously ask yourself the following question: is keloid okay or not? If you feel it is not, see the doctor.
What can the doctor do?
Keloid scars are only treated if they cause discomfort or for cosmetic reasons. Treatment is difficult. New treatment options continue to be researched to make keloids go away.
The doctor may try to reduce the keloid scar by combining an application of liquid nitrogen and an injection of cortisone into the scar. Other options are compression therapy or the application of silicone gel patches. But these treatments are expensive and take a long time.
In severe cases, treatment with irradiation or laser is attempted. Without result, a surgical excision keloid may be considered. But the procedure obviously causes a new wound, which can in turn lead to a new keloid.
Want to know more?
- Keloid scar – Ear (image) – DermIS – Dermatology Information System
- Keloid scar – Arm (image) – DermIS – Dermatology Information System
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