Burn Injury Resource Center
A keloid scar is a type of scar that results in an overgrowth of tissue at the site of healed skin injury due to aggressive healing process. This type of scar grows and extends beyond the site of injury unlike hypertrophic scar. They occur as a result of the body’s continuous production of collagen which is a fibrous protein after the healing of the wound.
They often appear red or pink in color as compared to the surrounding normal skin. They are firm, rubbery lesions; they may appear shiny or as fibrous nodules. Keloid scars may be accompanied by severe itching, pain and may limit mobility if they are extensive. They may vary in size and some types may increase in size. They may occur anywhere on the body although some areas are more susceptible to form keloid scars such as the deltoid region. They occur more often in darker skinned patients.
Treatment:
The treatment of keloid scar varies and the recurrence after treatment is common. Treatment may include:
- Steroid injection: this involves injecting steroid into the keloid scar, it may help to reduce the size of the scar and decrease itching and redness that may be associated with these scars. It may be used with other procedures like surgery.
- External pressure therapy: eg, compression garments.
- Cryotherapy: this involves freezing the keloid scar with a medication.
- Surgical therapy: is used if the keloid scar is not responsive to nonsurgical treatment.
- Laser surgery: this method involves the use of different lasers depending on the underlying cause of scar. It may be used to smooth the scar, remove abnormal color of a scar, or flatten a scar. This method is often done with other methods like steroid injection.
- Keloid scars have the tendency to re-occur and multiple treatments may be required.
- It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions, if you have been prescribed compression garments, it is important to wear them for 23 hours a day (taken off only when bathing), as they can minimize scarring. If you were taught any exercises than you have to do them as they will minimize the scarring.
This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.