Keloid: Symptoms and Treatment options

What are keloids?
They are prominent scars which grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound. They can follow trauma, infection, burns or any other type of injury. 

What are the symptoms of keloids?
They are commonly associated with the following,
1. Pain
2. Itching
3. Cosmetic deformity

What causes keloids?
The exact reasons are not known. It has been found to occur in all types of skin. It is less common among elderly. A tendency for keloid scarring is known to run in families. 

What are the most common sites of keloids?
These include,
1. Ear lobes
2. Chest
3. Back
4. Jawline

What are the treatment options for keloids?
Large keloids are more difficult to treat when compared to smaller ones. The treatment options include,
1. Intralesional injection of steroids: These have to be repeated at regular intervals for improvement in appearance and texture. 
2. Silicone sheet application: Silicone sheets have to be applied for prolonged periods. 
3. Pressure garment: These can be applied with the help of a custom made garment. 
4. Radiotherapy
5. Intralesional injection of 5 fluorouracil
6. Surgery 

The combination of more than one modality of treatment is advised in case of large keloids. Surgery is useful for debulking ( reducing the size ) a keloid. It has to be followed up with another modality like intralesional injections or use of pressure garment. 

What is the role of prevention?
The possibility of keloid formation following surgery should be borne in mind in persons with a tendency for keloid formation. Measures such as the use of silicone sheet and pressure garment are advised early in the post operative period. 

To learn more about other types of scars, click here.