Keloids
What are keloids?
Keloids formation is a little tricky to understand. When your skin is injured, a fibrous tissue is formed over the wound to repair and protect the injury. This fibrous tissue is also called the scar tissue. Sometimes the scar tissue grows excessively, forming smooth-hard growth called the keloids. They can become much larger than the actual wound or injury. Keloids are usually found on the chest, shoulders, earlobes and the cheeks. Skin injuries that can instigate keloid scarring are acne scars, burns, chicken pox scars, ear piercing, scratches, surgical incision and vaccination sites. Usually keloids do not require medical attention, but you may need to contact your doctor if the growth continues. Uncontrolled growth of keloids can also be a sign of skin cancer.
Symptoms include:
- A flesh-coloured pinkish or red localized area
- Raised lumpy ridged area of the skin
- An itchy patch of the skin
- An area that continues to grow with the scar tissue
Treatments:
Corticosteroid injections are used to reduce inflammation of a keloid on your body. Sometimes the doctor prescribes moisturizing oils to keep the tissue soft. While on one hand you have radiation therapies to shrink keloids, on the other hand you have laser treatments also available for treating keloids.
Silicone gel pads are also used in many cases. Intralesional injections with chemotherapeutic agents are also used extensively to treat the impact of keloids on your skin.
Usually doctors recommend less-invasive treatments such as silicone pads, pressure dressings and injections if the keloid scar is fairly new one. Large size keloids or an older keloid scar would need surgical intervention. However, according to many reports and studies the rate of keloid scarring coming back is higher after the surgery. Your doctor will recommend steroid injections after the surgery to lower the risk of the keloid returning.
The treatment for keloids are never instant. The condition is treated in sessions and takes a long period of time. The number of sessions and type of therapy depend on the severity of your condition. One must discuss everything out with the dermatologist in advance in order to have a realistic approach towards recovery.
