Keloids

Keloids is a common skin condition. Keloids are dermal fibrotic lesions that are a variation of the normal wound healing process. Keloids disease can occur at any age. They usually occur during the healing of a deep skin wound. Hypertrophic scars and keloids are both included in the spectrum of fibroproliferative disorders. These abnormal scars result from the loss of the control mechanisms that normally regulate the fine balance of tissue repair and regeneration. Keloids are harmless, cosmetic problems that do not become cancerous (malignant). Once a keloid stops growing it usually remains stable unless the area is injured again.

Keloids may be uncomfortable or itchy, and may be much larger than the original wound. Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury. Keloids usually are not medically dangerous, but they may affect the cosmetic appearance. In some cases, they may spontaneously reduce in size over time. Keloids Removal or Keloids reduction may not be permanent, and surgical removal may result in a larger keloid scar. Keloids & hypertrophic scars are usually just a cosmetic problem. They never become malignant. Keloids may form on any part of the body, although the upper chest and shoulders are especially prone to them.

Most keloids will flatten and become less noticeable over a period of several years. They may become irritated from rubbing on clothing or other forms of friction. Extensive keloids may become binding, limiting mobility. They may cause cosmetic changes and affect the appearance.

Symptoms of Keloids

• Symptoms include pigmentation of the skin, itchiness, redness, unusual sensations and pain.
• Flesh-colored, red, or pink
• Located over the site of a wound, injury, or other lesion
• Nodular or ridged

Treatment of Keloids

Keloids is a common skin condition. The best treatment of Keloids is by surgury. Keloids often require no treatment. Keloids may be reduced in size by freezing, external pressure, corticosteroid injections, laser treatments, radiation, or surgical removal. The best initial treatment is to inject long-acting cortisone (steroid) into the keloid once a month. It is not unusual for keloids to reappear (sometimes larger than before) after they have been removed. Call your health care provider if keloids develop and removal or reduction is desired, or new symptoms develop. People who have a family history of keloids have a higher rate of recurrence after treatment.
For severe cases, the keloid can surgically excised and given x-ray treatments to the site immediately afterwards, usually the on the same day. This works in about 85% of the most severe cases. The best treatment of Keloids is to inject a long-acting cortisone into the keloid once a month. After several injections with cortisone, the keloid usually becomes less noticeable and flattens in three to six months time.

Treatment of Keloids may include:

• Self-adhesive polyurethane scar reduction patches
• Silicone gel dressings
• Pressure dressings
• Surgical excision (but may result in a second keloid even larger than the original one)
• Corticosteroid injection, repeated every few weeks
• Cryotherapy
• Superficial X-ray treatment soon after surgery.
• Pulsed dye laser