Keloid is referred to a scar that develops when dense fibrous tissue overgrows at the same site of the skin where injury healed. Keloids may either be hard dome-shaped lumps of pink color or firm, rubber like red or dark lesions.

A keloid scar is often considered to be non-malignant and non-contagious skin disorder that mostly causes severe itching and acute pains with the changes in texture. In extensive cases, keloids obstruct and limit the skin movement.

Keloids are different from hypertrophic scars, which are elevated scars that remain confined to the area of original wound and may reduce after some time.

Keloids usually develop on chest, back, shoulders and earlobes. They rarely affect the areas of the face.

Signs and symptoms

Keloids appear in the forms of elevated and dome-shaped bright lesions of color that may range from pink to red. Some keloids can be a larger and unsighty lesions. Keloid scars not only potentially cause cosmetic problems but also result in severe itching and acute pain especially when they are touched.

What is the cause of keloids?

Though the exact cause of keloid formation is not known, it can be linked with the changes in the cellular signals regulating the growth and proliferation. However, such changes are yet to be characterized scientifically.

Keloids appear from injuries to the skin following surgical incisions, traumatic wounds or vaccination. Even burn injuries; chickenpox, acne and minor scratches may lead to Keloids formation.

Keloids commonly affect young women and African Americans. The condition also runs in families. Keloidosis can be described as an occurrence of several keloids or recurrence of keloids.

Most keloids turn flat after several years of their formation, making it difficult to notice them. Rubbing clothes against the affected areas of skin or other forms of friction often cause irritation and pain. In severe cases keloids may limit mobility. They may lead to cosmetic changes, affecting the appearance.

Keloids in their initial phase may become darker than the color of the surrounding skin as a result of exposure to the sun. In many cases keloids remain permanently dark following sun exposure. 

Who are at the risk?

Keloids are rare in children. Although keloids can occur in men and women irrespective of their skin colors, people with darker skin have been observed to be prone to this disorder. In some cases, keloids tend to run in families.

Keloid Scar Removal

A person who had once been inflicted by keloid should avoid undergoing effective skin surgeries or piercing. Prevention can always be the better option of dealing with keloids considering the non-availability of guaranteed and effective treatments at present.

Keloid Treatment

Cortisone injection (intralesional steroids): Cortisone injection can be a safe method of treatment as it is less painful. Injection is often given once in a month for better effects.

Keloids become flat with entry of a very little steroid into the body through injection. Injection, however, triggers formation of more superficial blood vessels, turning the flattened keloid reddish.

Surgery: Surgery can turn out to be a risky affair since cutting of keloid may lead to formation of even larger keloid.

Some surgeons inject steroids or apply pressure to the wound site after cutting off the keloid, to bring effective result. Sometimes Radiation follows surgical excision.

Laser: Keloids become flat and look less red with the pulsed-dye laser. Pulsed-dye laser can be a safer treatment method as it causes less pain. However, it may comprise several treatment sessions.

Silicone sheets: The affected area is covered with sheets of silicon gel for several hours a day. Though treatment with Silicone sheets may continue for weeks or even months, its results can be variable. Some medical experts claim to achieve similar success with compression dressing made of the materials without silicone.

Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves the process of freezing keloids with the use of liquid nitrogen. Though Cryotherapy helps flatten keloids, it causes darkness on the site of treatment.

Interferon: Interferon is generated by the body itself to fight against virus or bacteria. According to recent studies, injection of interferon into body has shown promising results by reducing keloids. However, it has not been ascertained if the effect of Interferon injection can last long or not. Research is presently underway to use a variant of this method with application of topical imiquimod (Aldara) for stimulating the body to produce interferon.

Fluorouracil: Fluouracil, a chemotherapy agent can be injected into the body for treating keloids. Sometimes fluouracil is injected along with steroids.