Definition
Keloids are the excess growth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury.
Alternative Names
Hypertrophic scar; Keloid scar; Scar - hypertrophic
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Keloids occur from such skin injuries as:
They are fairly common in young women and African Americans. Keloids often run in families. Keloidosis is a term used when many or repeated keloids occur.
Symptoms
A skin lesion that is:
- Flesh-colored, red, or pink
- Located over the site of a wound or injury
- Lumpy (nodular) or ridged
The lesion may itch while it is forming and growing.
Signs and tests
Diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin or scar. A skin biopsy may be needed to rule out other skin growths (tumors).
Treatment
Keloids often do not need treatment. They may be reduced in size by:
Expectations (prognosis)
Keloids usually are not medically dangerous, but they may affect the appearance. In some cases, they may become smaller, flatter, and less noticeable over a period of several years.
Exposure to the sun during the first year after the keloid forms will cause the keloid to tan darker than the skin around it. This dark color may be permanent.
Removing the keloid may not be permanent. Surgical removal may cause a larger keloid scar.
Complications
- Cosmetic changes that affect the appearance
- Discomfort, tenderness of the keloid
- Irritation from rubbing on clothing or other forms of friction
- Limited mobility (if the keloids are extensive)
- Psychological distress if the keloid is large or disfiguring
- Return of the keloid
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if:
- You develop keloids and want to have them removed or reduced
- You develop new symptoms
Prevention
You can prevent discoloration from sun exposure by covering the forming keloid with a patch or Band-Aid, and by using sunblock when spending time in the sun.
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