What are keloids?
When skin is injured, fibrous tissue called scar tissue forms over the wound to repair and protect the injury. A keloid, sometimes referred to as a keloid scar, is a tough heaped-up scar that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin. It usually has a smooth top and a pink or purple color. Keloids are irregularly shaped and tend to enlarge progressively. Unlike scars, keloids do not regress over time. In some cases, extra scar tissue grows, forming smooth, hard growths called keloids. They’re most commonly found on the chest, shoulders, earlobes, and cheeks. However, keloids can affect any part of the body. Although keloids aren’t harmful to your health but they look ugly on skin.
Causes
A keloid forms due to the skin’s exaggerated response to an injury. Even minor cuts can cause keloids. Some of the most common causes of keloids include:
- Cuts or punctures, including from shaving
- Burns
- Incisions from surgery
- Insect bites
- Skin conditions, such as acne
- Chickenpox or diseases that cause scarring of the skin
- Tattoos or piercings
Treatment of Keloids: The methods now available to treat keloids are as follows:
Corticosteroid injections ( Intralesional steroids): These are safe but moderately painful. Injections are usually given once every four to eight weeks into the keloids) and usually help flatten keloids; however, steroid injections can also make the flattened keloid redder by stimulating the formation of more superficial blood vessels.The
By Surgery: one of the way to treat a keloid is by surgery. Some surgeons achieve success by injecting steroids or applying compression (using a specialized pressure device where appropriate) to the wound site for months after cutting away the keloid.
Superficial radiation treatment after surgical excision has also been found to be useful. In the case of very large keloids or an older keloid scar, surgical removal may be recommended. The rate of return for keloid scarring after surgery can be high. However, the benefits of removing a large keloid may outweigh the risk of postsurgery scars.
Laser Treatment: The pulsed-dye laser can be effective at flattening keloids and making them look less red. Treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatment sessions may be needed. These may be costly, since such treatments are not generally covered by insurance plans.
Silicone gel or sheeting: This involves wearing a sheet of silicone gel on the affected area continuously for months, which is hard to sustain. Results are variable. Some doctors claim similar success with compression dressings made from materials other than silicone.
Pressure: Special earrings are available, which when used appropriately, can cause keloids on the earlobe to shrink significantly.
By Cryotherapy: Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them but often darkens or lightens the site of treatment.
Radiation: A newer treatment that is showing promising results involves a short course of radiation therapy, which is given immediately after surgically cutting out the keloids. Several studies in the plastic surgery and dermatology literature show a high rate of cure, or at least improvement, in keloid scars in people treated by this method.
Skin Image Clinic, Faridabad provide treatment for Keloids , you may contact and book appointment for better service.
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