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.

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