What are keloids?
Every time there is a skin injury, a thick scar called a keloid, often referred to as a keloid scar, might develop. It can occur anywhere on the body, not just the earlobes, cheeks, back, or chest. Any region of the body can develop keloid scars, it is a truth. A person who is prone to getting keloids may do so repeatedly in multiple locations. A keloid can impact a person’s emotional stability and outward look but is not thought to be hazardous to physical strength.
What are the symptoms of Keloids?
According to my team, a renowned dermatologist at Twacha Skin, keloids typically grow to be larger than the initial lesion and take weeks or months to mature fully. The following list of keloids’ typical symptoms is provided:
- They can treble in size in just a few months due to their rapid growth and propensity to spread widely.
- It emerges in stages. Although the majority of keloid lesions often form within a year of skin injury, they might take up to three to twelve months or even longer to appear.
- Itchy and unpleasant keloids are likely to exist. Once the keloid has fully formed, these symptoms normally disappear.
- Keloid scar is prone to irritation. Friction, such as rubbing against clothing, might aggravate it.
- Over time, it gradually gets darker. A keloid typically starts off as a pink, crimson, or flesh-colored scar that gradually darkens over time and takes on a darker appearance than the surrounding skin.
Which areas of the body are most impacted by Keloids?
Keloids are frequently seen on the human components listed below:
- Shoulders
- Ears
- Chest
- Neck
- Back
Why do Keloids develop?
When our skin is damaged, the cells in our body attempt to heal it by creating a scar. Some people continue to produce scar tissue long after the lesion has healed, which causes a keloid, or elevated patch of skin. Injured skin, such as that from a surgical cut, a burn, chickenpox, or acne, develops keloids. When thick tissue rises up from the healing area, the scars enlarge beyond the size of the initial damage. For certain people, even a small minor scrape might develop into keloids.
Keloids frequently develop in skin that is light in hue and run in families. Tattoos, insect bites, immunisation jabs, and even wearing tightly braided hair can result in keloids.
Risk Elements
Some of the risk factors that raise the possibility of developing keloids include the following:
- Keloids are commonly found in people having blackish or brownish skin and the reason for this is still not found yet.
- Keloids can also be formed if an individual has a family history as it runs in families.
- A keloid is more likely to develop between the ages of 20 and 30.
- A pregnant woman also has more chances of having keloids.
Prevention
The following preventive self-care advice is essential if you are prone to developing keloids:
- Avoid obtaining tattoos, body piercings, or any type of unnecessary surgery. Having these operations done increases your risk of acquiring keloids.
- After a small skin damage, it is preferable to begin treatment right away in order to prevent keloids. This may hasten the healing process. Use a non-stick bandage and Vaseline. 12 to 24 hours per day, leave the bandage on the affected area. A keloid is more likely to develop between the ages of 20 and 30.
- Keep the wound clean and moist at all times.
Keloids vs. hypertrophic scars
- Keloids are frequently mistaken for hypertrophic scars, another kind of comparable scar. These smaller, flat scars can fade on their own and are flat in shape. The most common causes of hypertrophic scars are wounds, piercings, and any strong scents.
- While keloids can take months to years to manifest, hypertrophic scars do so within a month or two of the injury.
- Keloids are difficult to treat and can resurface since they have a high return rate, but hypertrophic scars are simpler to remove.
- Keloids persist until they are treated, although hypertrophic scars fade on their own.
How long are Keloids?
Keloids may keep expanding for several months or even years. Even while they eventually cease growing, they do not go away on their own. Keloids occasionally come back after being removed.
How keloids are handled ?
According to experts, there is no surefire treatment for keloids, however receiving care may help them look better. Based on the size and location of the keloid, several doctors combine different treatments to treat it. Let’s examine the following therapies:
- Cryotherapy, commonly known as freezing the scar, can be used to lessen the keloid’s size and hardness. Small keloids respond to it the best.
- Utilizing silicone gel or sheets over the scar can help minimise the size of keloids and flatten them.
- surgical removal: This procedure entails removing the keloid. Even after receiving this treatment, the majority of keloids will reappear.
- Treatment with pressure: After keloid surgery, putting pressure on the area helps to restrict blood flow and stop the keloid from growing again.
- Corticosteroid injections: The medication in these injections aids in scar reduction.
- Laser therapy: This procedure can help the keloid become flatter and smaller. Additionally, the colour may fade.
Treatment of keloids involves both non-invasive as well as invasive methods.
1. Injections of corticosteroids, which maintain the tissues moist and soft, are a non-invasive technique. The swelling around the scar tissue is reduced as a result.
2. Invasive techniques involve killing skin cells by releasing the cells at extremely low temperatures. To minimise the severity of the scar tissue, modern methods including laser treatments are used. Radiation therapy is also advised in severe circumstances. The keloids are reduced by this process. Doctors examine the scar and provide the best non-invasive remedies. They can decide to prescribe invasive treatment alternatives after evaluating the response.