Most commonly seen with piercings, a keloid scar is when scar tissues continue to form even after a wound is healed.
During the healing process of a wound, excess scar tissue may form over the injury even after the wound is healed leading to a keloid scar. They usually appear as thick and raised scars which are hard, smooth, and more significant than the size of the initial wound. The keloids may appear red or purple and become brown or pale with time.
Keloid scars can form anywhere skin injuries occur, however they are usually found on one’s earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, and chest. Keloids can form from skin injuries that lead to keloid scars including ear piercings, acne scars, and burns.
Keloid Scars can be difficult to identify initially since they grow very slowly over time. It can take 3 to 12 months before the first symptoms start showing after the wound has healed. While generally harmless to your overall health, keloid scars are usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
Keloids form most commonly in individuals with previous cases of keloid scarring or if they have a family history of the condition. Other risk factors include:
The most crucial aspect in preventing Keloid Scarring is to practice good wound care:
If you are considered to be at risk for developing keloid scars or have a family history of them, be mindful of nonessential surgeries, tattoos, and piercings. Additionally, any injuries to the skin should be protected from excessive sun exposure to avoid discolouration. It is also good to use pressure pads and silicone pads on wounds which can help heal and reduce scarring. Your doctor may also recommend certain moisturising creams to also reduce the risk of keloids forming.
Keloids can shrink or flatten on their own without direct treatment. However, if the keloid persists after some time and causes you pain or discomfort, you can treat the condition in several ways. One way is through steroid injections which have been suggested to be effective in reducing the size of recently formed keloid scars. Another way is through cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is when liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the keloid to remove it. Laser treatment may also be used; however, there is a high chance that the keloid will resurface.
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