Keloid

Definition

Keloid is defined as an excessive growth of scar tissue at the site of a skin injury, common in dark-skinned people but unusual in fair-skinned people. They often grow, and although harmless, non-contagious, and usually non-painful, they can be a cosmetic problem. A hypertrophic scar is a thick, raised, smooth area that is found over skin. It diminishes over a period of one year or more. A red, raised formation of fibrous scar tissue caused by excessive tissue repair in response to trauma or surgical incision. When the skin is injured, cells grow back to fill in the gap. When the cells keep on reproducing, the result is a what is called a overgrown (hypertrophic) scar or a keloid.

Causes of Keloid

• One another main cause of keloid is - skin trauma i.e. skin or muscle tension (the upper arm and back) seem to contribute to keloid formation.
• Wounds that are under tension while healing, or which get infected, are particularly likely to form keloids, as are burn and acne scars.
• Keloids are most common amoung people of ages 10 to 30 years.
• A deficiency or an excess in melanocyte hormone, decreased percentages of mature collagen and increased soluble collagen, are among the main causes of keloid.
• Keloid's formation may be due to the piercing of body parts, such as the earlobes and abdomen.
• Dark skinned people get keloids much more easily than those with a paler skin. They are especially common in people with black skin.
• If someone in your family has keloids then you are at increased risk of get affected by it.
• Keloids may occur from various skin injuries as surgical incisions, traumatic wounds, vaccination sites, burns, chickenpox.
• Exposure to the sun, is also responsible in the formation of keloid.

Symptoms of Keloids

Symptoms for Keloids are as:-

• An affected person, may experience the raised and hard scars.
• Continued growth and claw like projections may be seen during keloid's.
• The burning sensation, itching, ulcer, restriction of movement, etc are common symptoms of keloid's.
• The formation of dome shaped scar which extends beyond the injury are common symptoms of keloids.
• The red or dark color patches may be seen in keloids.
• In some cases, you may have the feeling of irritation or pain.
• Keloids can occur on any skin area. The most common locations for keloids vary according to race. In Caucasians, for example, keloids are most common on the face and arms. Blacks tend to develop keloids most often on the face and legs.
• Keloid's are mostly form over the site of a wound, injury, or other lesion.

Treatments of Keloid

Treatments for Curing Keloid includes:-

• The steroid or cortisone injections are useful in the removal of various scars over the affected area.
• The keloids disease may be treated with lasers. Lasers may lessen the redness but, unfortunately, they do little or nothing to the bulk of the keloid.
• Cryosurgery - The treatment of keloids with liquid nitrogen is very beneficial for fast recovery.
• By applying a silicone sheet nightly for several months can gradually and safely minimize some keloids.
• Long-term compression of keloids with pressure bandages can help soften them.
• Radiation treatments may reduce scar formation if they are used soon after a surgery, during the time a surgical wound is healing.
• Surgical Removal or Treatment - There are many options to treat deeper wounds and scars such as- skin grafts, excision or laser surgery. You can receive a skin graft, where the surgeon removes skin from another area of your body.