Keloid scar symptoms & causes

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Treatments

Conditions

The symptoms

Scars are thickened and raised

Larger than the original wound

Colour may appear pink, red, purple, or dark brown

Scars are itchy or painful

Painful when touching the area

Keloids continue to grow

It feels tight, and movement is limited

When to see a doctor?

Consultation Is The Key

Is there any treatment for keloid scars?

You should consult your doctor for a keloid scar if:

A keloid is growing or getting larger
You are experiencing pain or itchiness
You want to cosmetically remove them
It limits your movement
There is redness, warmth, or pus coming from the keloid

The Harley Street Skin Clinic offers several Treatment options for keloids, including corticosteroid injections, cryotherapy, laser therapy, surgical excision, and silicone gel sheeting. A skin biopsy may be needed if there is diagnostic uncertainty.

To know what treatment is best for you, Book an appointment here.

Advised treatments

Keloid-scar-removal

Skin Treatment

The causes

What causes keloid scars?

The following skin conditions can contribute to the development of keloid scars:

Burns
Acne Scars
Scratches
Ear piercing
Chicken pox scars
Surgical incision site
Vaccination sites
Insect bites

The risk factors

What are the factors that can contribute to having keloid scars?

Genetics: Those who have family members with keloids are more prone to developing them as well.
Skin Tone: More common in people with darker skin, such as those of Asian, African, or Hispanic descent.
Age: Keloids usually develop between 10 and 30 years old.
Type of Skin Injury: Acne, piercings, tattoos, trauma, burns, or vaccinations can cause keloids to develop.
Location on the Body: Areas like the chest, shoulders, upper back, earlobes, or jawline are more prone to keloid scars.
Delayed Wound Healing: Wounds that become infected or heal longer than expected may develop keloids.
Previous Keloids: You can have more keloids if you initially have them.

The complications

Overall Impact

Wider Health Implications

Cosmetic Concerns
Keloids surpass the original wound size and become notable deformations, which become most apparent on the areas that are exposed, such as the face and neck, as well as the chest. These marks have distinct colours, which include red, dark brown, or purplish distinctions from normal skin tone.
Physical Discomfort
Keloids typically produce itching and irritation that occurs primarily while they expand in size. They often generate discomfort, which intensifies during touch or elongation of the affected area. Reasons for discomfort include joint-restricted movement when large keloids develop close to joints such as the elbows and shoulders.
Recurrence after treatment
Treatment by surgical removal or medical therapies of keloids often results in their previous size. The regrowth of keloids following treatments becomes problematic due to their challenging management in the long run.

Risk of Infection
Steroid injections, surgery, or cryotherapy treatments may lead to infections if not done properly or if aftercare methods are poor.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Keloids that are noticeable through the skin surface or grow to large sizes at times cause extreme embarrassment in adolescents and young people because they develop feelings of self-doubt and acquire depressive symptoms as well. They also choose avoidance of social circumstances or particular clothing due to their visible scarring.

The prevention

Proper Wound Care

Why proper cleaning of wounds is important?

Mild soap and water should be used to clean cuts as well as scrapes and surgical incisions. Wound cleanliness helps decrease infection chances, which then limits both inflammation levels and the likelihood of keloid development.

Apply moisture to the wound area while keeping it covered

Apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum on your wounds, followed by a non-sticky bandage. The healing time becomes shorter while scarring decreases when wounds stay moist.

Pressure And Silicone Therapy

How does pressure therapy help prevent keloids?

Healing time after a surgical procedure or burns becomes shorter, and keloids lower in frequency when patients use compression methods to reduce scars. These types of treatments are commonly used for patients at high risk of developing keloids.

Apply silicone sheets or gel

Silicone gel sheeting have been reported to be successful in treating keloid scars. Wearing them maintains wound moisture and controls collagen production, which reduces keloid development. Patients should apply the treatment regularly during a period of two to three months after the injury.

Avoid Skin Trauma

Why should I avoid piercings and tattoos if I am prone to keloids?

People who are prone to keloids should avoid all unnecessary body modifications that damage the skin, like piercings and tattoos.

People who develop keloids should consider this category of activities dangerous. The keloid response develops after any form of minor skin damage.

Do not pick scabs or acne

People with keloid tendencies should avoid scratching, squeezing, or picking scabs or acne because it can lead to mild inflammation and develop excessive scar formation or keloids.

Medical Interventions

What is the use of a corticosteroid injection in wound healing?

Doctors perform steroid injections within the healing wound procedure to stop keloid formation. The use of these treatments limits the formation of collagen while decreasing the degree of inflammation.

Early laser cryotherapy treatment

The medical intervention, including radiation therapy, has the potential to treat new scars by reducing their tissue overgrowth. The application of cryotherapy precedes the freezing of potential abnormal scar tissue at its initial development stages.

Lifestyle Awareness

Can sunscreen help protect the scars?

Both UV rays and sunlight cause darkening of scars, with keloids becoming more noticeable to view. The application of sunscreen with SPF 30+ should cover all healing skin.

Know your risk factors

Keloid formations occur more frequently among individuals with darker complexions and people belonging to keloid-prone families. Being aware of the situation enables prompt medical intervention, such as keloid treatment, which results in superior wound treatment strategies.