What Are Keloids? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Keloids are a form of abnormal scarring that results from the healing process of the skin due to injury. However, keloids differ from normal scars because they form beyond the boundary of the injury and, in many cases, continue growing even after healing has occurred. Although keloids do not cause any harm and are also non-cancerous, they may cause pain, itching and discomfort. It is important to understand keloids, their causes and treatments.

What Are Keloids?

Keloids are thickened scars that appear due to an overgrowth of collagen. Normally, when a person suffers injuries from a cut, burn or even vaccination, a process of collagen formation takes place to heal that region of the body. In some cases, this process goes overboard, resulting in the formation of a keloid.

Keloids may emerge weeks or perhaps months following the injury and may continue expanding at a slow rate. These are distinct from hypertrophic scars because the latter usually stay inside the original border of the wound.

Common Causes of Keloids

A keloid can form as a consequence of any skin injury. Such injuries include the following:

• Surgical incisions
• Ear or body piercing
• Acne scars
• Burns
• Cutting and abrasions
• Vaccination sites
• Insect bites

Not all individuals form keloids following a skin injury, which indicates a genetic and biological tendency towards this condition.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Keloids?

Certain conditions and variables can predispose to the development of keloids. These include:

• Keloids in family members
• Adolescents and young adults
• Hormonal fluctuations such as puberty or pregnancy
• Skin trauma

Individuals with keloids must exercise extreme caution where body piercing or plastic surgery may be involved.

How Do Keloids Look and Feel?

Keloids are of variable size, shape and color according to their position and duration. The characteristic features of keloids are:

• Elevated, shiny and hard texture
• Pink, red, brown or darker compared to skin
• Itching or tenderness
• Pain or discomfort in some instances

These moles are normally found on the chest, shoulders, back, ear lobes, jaw area or upper arm.

Difference Between Keloids and Normal Scars

• Normal scars: Remain within the boundaries of the injury and eventually fade
• Hypertrophic scars: Elevated but confined to area of injury
• Keloids: These extend beyond the limits of the wound. They have a tendency to grow. Keloids are not self-limiting and are likely to worsen.

Diagnosis of Keloids

A keloid is mostly diagnosed through a clinical examination undertaken by a doctor and a dermatologist. Rarely, a biopsy might also be performed to exclude any other skin diseases. Early treatment can thus be facilitated and the growth in size stopped.

Treatment of Keloids

Keloids may be difficult to treat and there may be chances of recurrence. The treatment of keloids may focus on alleviating symptoms.

Common Treatment Methods Include:

• Corticosteroid injections: Reduces inflammation and pushes the scar flat.
• Silicone gel sheets or creams: Assist in softening and contracting scars
• Cryotherapy: Freezing the keloid to reduce its size
• Laser therapy: Enhances color and texture
• Surgical excision: With high recurrence rates, use is cautious.
• Pressure therapy: Often used after ear piercing

Doctors can also make use of a combination of treatments in order to get effective results.

Can Keloids Be Prevented?

Prevention may not always be possible, especially in cases where the person has a tendency to form keloids. But the following steps can be taken to avoid them to some extent:

• Prevent unnecessary skin damage or pierces
• Adhere to wound care instructions following injuries and surgery
• Apply silicone gel or sheets to healing cuts if recommended
• Treatment for the scarring as soon as any irregular scarring is noticed

Early intervention can effectively restrict the size of the keloid.

Living with Keloids

Although keloids are harmless, they may influence the self-esteem and life of the affected person. Emotional support, health education and proper treatment can assist a person in dealing with the physical as well as mental problems associated with keloids.

When to See a Doctor

A doctor should be consulted in case the scar becomes elevated, sore, itchy and growing despite the healing of the original wound. Fair early treatment prevents complications and ensures effectiveness of treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Are keloids dangerous?

No, they are actually benign growths and are not cancerous.

• Will keloids fade away by themselves?

Nope. Usually, keloids will not fade on their own.

• Can keloids recur after being treated?

Yes. It can recur, and this is the reason for the importance of follow-up care.

• Are keloids contagious?

Keloids are not contagious.

• Can everyone develop a keloid?

A few individuals are likely to develop this condition because of genetic concerns.