Keloid Scar
A raised scar that grows beyond the original wound
Quick Facts
- Type: Skin scarring condition
- Key feature: Scar extends past the wound edges
- Common sites: Chest, shoulders, earlobes, jaw
- Outlook: Harmless but can be persistent
Overview
A keloid is a type of raised scar that forms when the skin overproduces collagen during healing. Unlike an ordinary scar, a keloid grows beyond the boundaries of the original wound and can become much larger than the injury that caused it.
Keloids are not dangerous or contagious, but they can be itchy, tender, or cosmetically distressing, and they can be difficult to treat because they tend to return. They are more common in people with darker skin tones and often run in families.
Symptoms
- A raised, thick, rubbery scar that extends past the original wound
- A shiny surface that may be pink, red, purple, or darker than surrounding skin
- Itching, tenderness, or discomfort, especially as it forms
- Gradual growth over weeks to months
- Common locations including the chest, shoulders, upper back, earlobes, and jawline
Causes
Keloids form when the skin's healing process produces too much scar tissue. They can develop after almost any skin injury, including:
- Cuts, burns, and surgical incisions
- Acne and chickenpox scars
- Ear and body piercings
- Tattoos and vaccinations
- Sometimes minor injuries or no clear injury at all
A tendency to form keloids is partly inherited, so a family or personal history increases the chance.
Risk Factors
- Darker skin tones
- A family or personal history of keloids
- Younger age, often between the teens and thirties
- Wounds in high-tension areas such as the chest and shoulders
- Ear and body piercings
Diagnosis
A doctor or dermatologist usually diagnoses a keloid by examining the scar and asking about how it developed. The key feature is a scar that grows beyond the original wound. Rarely, a skin biopsy is done to rule out other growths if the diagnosis is uncertain.
Treatment
Keloids can be challenging to treat and may return, so a combination of methods is often used:
- Corticosteroid injections: To flatten and soften the scar, often repeated over several sessions.
- Silicone sheets or gel: Applied over the scar to reduce size and symptoms.
- Pressure therapy: Such as pressure earrings after earlobe keloid removal.
- Cryotherapy: Freezing smaller keloids.
- Laser treatment: To reduce redness and flatten the scar.
- Surgical removal: Often combined with other treatments, since keloids commonly come back after surgery alone.
Prevention
- If you are prone to keloids, avoid unnecessary skin injuries, piercings, and tattoos
- Care for wounds carefully and keep them clean
- Use silicone gel or sheets on new wounds if advised
- Tell your surgeon about any history of keloids before procedures
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor or dermatologist if a scar is growing beyond the wound, becoming itchy or painful, or bothering you cosmetically. Early treatment of a developing keloid is often more effective. Also seek care if you have a history of keloids and need surgery or a piercing, so steps can be taken to reduce the risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are keloids dangerous?
No. Keloids are not cancerous or contagious and do not turn into skin cancer. They are mainly a cosmetic concern, although they can itch, feel tender, or be bothersome. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis and discuss treatment if they cause problems.
Why do keloids keep coming back after removal?
Keloids form because the skin overproduces scar tissue, and cutting them out is another injury that can trigger the same process. This is why surgery alone often fails, and doctors usually combine removal with steroid injections, pressure, silicone, or other treatments.
Can keloids be prevented?
If you are prone to keloids, avoiding unnecessary piercings, tattoos, and skin injuries lowers the risk. Careful wound care and using silicone gel or sheets on new wounds may help, and you should tell your surgeon about any keloid history before procedures.
What is the difference between a keloid and a normal scar?
A normal scar stays within the boundaries of the original wound and often fades over time. A keloid grows beyond the wound edges, stays raised, and can keep enlarging. This spreading growth is the main feature that distinguishes a keloid.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. Keloids.
- Mayo Clinic. Keloid scar.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Keloids.