Keloids


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What are Keloids?

Keloids are raised scars made of extra scar tissue that develop after a skin injury heals. They can appear anywhere on the body, often form on the chest, cheeks, earlobes, shoulders, neck, or back, and usually grow beyond the original injury, piercing, acne spot, burn, or surgical incision that triggered them. While keloids are not harmful to your health, they can cause cosmetic concerns, itching, discomfort, and permanent changes in the skin, so treatment may help if a scar bothers you or affects your quality of life. This guide explains what keloids are, how to recognize them, who is more likely to develop keloids, and which treatment options, including surgery, corticosteroid injections, compression, and radiation therapy, may be appropriate. Most keloids grow slowly over time.

Common symptoms of a keloid include:

  • A firm, smooth raised area or raised scar.
  • Is often flesh-colored, pink, or red.
  • The area continues to grow larger with more scar tissue over time.
  • The skin may itch and can sometimes cause pain or a burning sensation.

Keloids are often confused with hypertrophic scars, but keloid formation extends beyond the original wound, while a hypertrophic scar stays within the wound edges and may improve over time. Men and women are equally likely to develop keloids, and onset is most common between ages 10 and 30. People with dark skin, a family history of keloids, Asian or Latino ancestry, pregnancy, or younger age are more likely to develop them after skin injury. Keloids are more frequent in Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI and are about 15 times more common in highly pigmented skin.

If you are prone to keloids, avoid unnecessary cosmetic procedures when possible, and if surgery is needed, ask your doctor about precautions at the surgical incision to help prevent keloid formation after the procedure.

Treatment Options for Keloids

Keloids are not dangerous to your health and are usually primarily a cosmetic concern. While there is no one treatment proven to treat keloids, there are a number of procedure options to help reduce the size of keloids and reduce symptoms. Because multiple forms of treatment may be needed and keloids treated with one method alone can recur, the goal is often to flatten and soften the scar as well as relieve discomfort. Compression or silicone gels may be used after treatment to help prevent keloids from coming back. Other options include laser therapy to reduce redness, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, and 5-fluorouracil for small keloids. These treatments may include:

Surgery

This option may be used for very large or older keloid scars. However, recurrence after surgical excision is high, with excision alone commonly cited at 45-100%. Careful surgical techniques can help limit tissue trauma, but this approach is usually paired with other treatments for better control.

Corticosteroid Injections

Injections of corticosteroid medicine can be done to reduce irritation and help flatten or soften a keloid scar, in part by reducing collagen synthesis. Corticosteroid injections have a reported 50-100% response rate. Treatments are usually repeated every 4-6 weeks.

Compression

Using pressure therapy to apply continuous pressure for 24 hours for 6-12 months can help shrink keloids, and after treatment a pressure dressing or silicone gel/sheet may be used to help minimize recurrence.

Superficial Radiation Therapy

For keloids that do not respond to any other treatments, excision of the keloid followed by two superficial radiation treatments has been proven successful.

Keloid FAQs

Are keloids cancerous?

Keloids are not cancerous, they are simply scar tissue.

Are keloid treatments covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans consider keloid treatment a cosmetic concern, so it is not generally covered.

Are keloids dangerous?

Keloids are not dangerous to your health but can be painful or itchy.

Can aloe vera treat keloids?

Aloe vera can help to reduce the size or inflammation of keloids for some patients.

Can I get a tattoo if Im prone to keloids?

You can get a tattoo if you are prone to keloids but should understand the risks and avoid areas where keloids are most likely, such as the shoulders, upper chest, or neck.

Can keloids get infected?

Keloids are raised, overgrown scars that can form after injuries or piercings. They are typically benign, but they can become infected if they are traumatized or exposed to bacteria.

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Ideal Candidates for Keloid Treatment

Individuals who have keloids that are a cosmetic concern or a cause of discomfort can often benefit from keloid treatment. A consultation appointment with Dr. Erwin is needed for a proper assessment, as keloids diagnosed by a specialist may need examination to tell them apart from hypertrophic scars or other skin growths. She will then create a treatment plan to help remove or shrink the size of your keloid. A dermatology evaluation also helps choose the best approach based on the scar’s size, location, and symptoms.

Contact Us Today

To learn more about keloids and keloid treatment options, contact our office by calling 979-543-9933! Your first step toward treatment will be to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Erwin, our skilled dermatologist.