Did you know what causes a Keloids?

Did you know what a keloid is?

A Keloid is a greatly enlarged scar that projects above the skin surface. Skin heals by formation of scar tissue, which at first is often red and somewhat prominent. As time passes, a scar usually becomes flat. Unfortunately, sometimes scars enlarge to form firm, smooth, hard growths called keloids.

Commonly, keloids are both itchy and painful.
Did you know what causes a Keloids?

No one knows why Keloids form. Although most persons never form Keloids, others develop them after minor injuries or even after insect bites or after acne bumps resolve.

Keloids may form on any part of the body, although the ears, upper chest, upper back, and shoulders are especially prone to keloid formation. Persons with darker skin form keloids more easily than those with lighter skin, although anyone can form a keloid. Keloids never turn into skin cancer.

Did you know that there are several types of treatments of Keloids?

The reason why, Keloids are scar tissue, and it is important to realize that you can never change a scar back into normal skin.

The goal in treating keloids is to

1) diminish any pain, 2) diminish any itching, and 3) flatten the lesion so that it is more like the surrounding normal skin.

The treatment for keloids includes topical anti-inflammatory preparations, topical silicone preparations including ointments and sheets, laser treatments, steroid injections, and surgical excision.

Can Keloid Scars be Prevented?

Although many experts claim there is nothing that can be done to avoid keloid scarring, there are some precautions you can take to save your skin from excessive damage. Do not get any tattoos or piercing if keloid scarring is prevalent in your family and you are worried about being affected. Keep your skin moist and relaxed in general to decrease the tension in your skin and muscles. Eat collagen rich foods or take a collagen supplement to help your skin better repair its wounds. Take a multivitamin aimed towards skin health rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Silica, a natural form of collagen.
How to Treat Keloid Scars

There are several ways to treat keloid scars, but there are no guaranteed treatment methods or quick fixes here are a few:
Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment is an option where the scar tissue is removed by a knife or a laser. Surgical treatment has a high recurrence rate and is invasive.

Radiation Therapy

Radiotherapy is a treatment option for keloid scarring that is usually used in combination with another surgical treatment option. The theory is that radiation affects and slows skin growth, so the use of radiation may decrease the production of the excess skin that is causing the scarring.

Drug Therapy

The drug therapy for keloid scarring is called interferon therapy. This therapy involves the patient taking drugs that affect the immune system and help take the scarring down. Drug therapy has many side effects, however, and many people obtain the best results through drug therapy by combining it with topical therapy options.

Topical Therapy

Topical therapy treatments are focused on breaking up the keloid scar by softening the skin through a compress, cream or ointment. Cocoa butter applied directly on the scar several times a day is known to reduce dark coloration and help smooth the skin of a keloid scar. Vitamin E can also be applied directly to the scar to help strengthen and soften the surrounding skin and help flatten the scar.

Did you know what Injection Therapy is?

Treatment such as injections of cortisone (steroids) can speed up the process where the scar will decrease in size.

Did you know what is the difference between a keloid and a hypertrophic scar?

After the skin is injured, the healing process usually leaves a flat scar. Sometimes the scar is hypertrophic, or thickened, but confined to the margin of the wound. Hypertrophic scars often subside by themselves (a process which can take one year or more).








Keloids, by contrast, may start some time after the injury and extend beyond the wound site. This tendency to migrate into surrounding areas that weren't injured to begin with distinguishes keloids from hypertrophic scars. Keloids typically appear following surgery or injury, but they can also appear spontaneously or as a result of some slight inflammation, such as an acne pimple on the chest (even one that wasn't scratched). Other minor injuries that can trigger keloids are burns and piercings.

What are the signs and symptoms of keloids?

Keloids are raised and look shiny and dome-shaped, ranging in color from pink to red. Some keloids become quite large and unsightly. Aside from causing potential cosmetic problems, these exuberant scars tend to be itchy, tender, or even painful to the touch.

To see more did you know that trivia click here

Did you know that Hunt's tomato paste will cure a boil?

Did you know what is a boil?

Did you know that a boil, also referred to as a skin abscess, is a localized infection deep in the skin?

Did you know that a boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area and over time, the area becomes firm and hard?

Did you know that eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection-fighting white blood cells that the body sends from the bloodstream to eradicate the infection?

Did you know that this collection of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins is known as pus?

Did you know that the boil"forms a head," which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin?

 

Did you know that Furuncle or carbuncle is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. A furuncle can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills.
Did you know that Cystic acne is a type of abscess that is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected?

Did you know that Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue that the more superficial inflammation from common acne.? Did you know that Cystic acne is most common on the face and typically occurs in the teenage years?

Did you know that Hidradenitis suppurativa is a condition in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the armpits and often in the groin area?

Did you know that Hidradenitis suppurativa are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands?

Did you know that Hidradenitis suppurativa is a form of skin infection and is difficult to treat with antibiotics alone and typically requires a surgical procedure to remove the involved sweat glands in order to stop the skin inflammation?

Did you know that Pilonidal cyst is a unique kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks?

Did you know that Pilonidal cysts often begin as tiny areas of infection in the base of the area of skin from which hair grows (the hair follicle)?

Did you know that Pilonidal cysts begins with irritation from direct pressure, over time the inflamed area enlarges to become a firm, painful, tender nodule making it difficult to sit without discomfort?

 Did you know that Pilonidal cysts frequently form after long trips that involve prolonged sitting?

Did you know why boils occur? 

Did you know that some boils can be caused by an ingrown hair?

Did you know that a splinter or other foreign material that has become lodged in the skin can cause a boil?

Did you know that some boils, such as those of acne, are caused by plugged sweat glands that become infected?

Did you know that the skin is an essential part of our immune defense against materials and microbes that are foreign to our body and a Any break in the skin, such as a cut or scrape, can develop into an abscess should it then become infected with bacteria?

Did you know that Hunt's tomato paste will cure a boil? 

Did you know that when you cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress the acid from the tomatoes soothes the pain and bring the boil to a head?

Did you know that when you notice that you have a boil coming up apply an ice cube to the area till it melts?

Did you know that if you are using the ice method that you need to do it four to five times a day till the boil is gone.?

Did you know that Boils and the bacteria that cause them to have to have heat to thrive and grow, and if you take away their heat they die?

Did you know that when you place a banana peel that has been boiled and placed on the boil and leave it there for as long as you can draw the boil to a head.

Did you know that if you let a banana peel stay on the boil all night that when you wake up in the morning your boil will have drained on its own/

Did you know that a onion or potato cut into little slivers of either one and apply to the affected boil and cover change 4 times a day. it will bring it to a head and helps with the pain?

Did you know that 1 eggshell and a band-aid placed over boil opening(head)then put on bandage overnight the core of the boil come out and all the contents?

Now if you didn't know, now you know...                                         

To see more did you know that trivia click here

Useful Health Care Tips

Suffering from menstrual cramps? Have a tablespoon of aloe vera gel with two pinches of black pepper thrice a day.

One teaspoonul of garlic juice mixed with two teaspoonful of honey taken twice a day can be beneficial for high blood pressure.

For a sinus headache try a paste of half teaspoon Cinnamon with sufficient water and apply to the affected area.

Constipated? Don't forget to drink a glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of clarified butter at bedtime.

To cure bleeding gums, squeeze the juice of half lemon into a cup of water and add one teaspoonful of honey.

This drink should be taken every morning. Massaging the gums gently with coconut oil also helps.

To get relief from back aches make a paste of ginger, and apply to the afected area. Massaging with eucalyptus oil is very effective.You can also make your own massaging oil. Cut 2-3 cloves of garlic into small pieces. Put them in 100ml of sesame oil or mustard oil. Boil on slow ire for about five minutes. This oil is very good for massaging the area o backache.

Betel leaves are a valuable remedy for boils. A betel leaf is gently warmed till it becomes soft. It is then coated with a layer of castor oil and the paste is applied on the affected area.