Keloids are a type of abnormal scar that results from deposition of too much of a normal structural protein in skin called collagen type 3. The body keeps depositing collagen even though the injury is already healed, and the scar tissue overgrows. As the scar formation progresses, the collagen type 3 in the keloid scar is slowly replaced with another, similar protein called collagen type 1. Keloids also contain other proteins, such as elastin, fibronectin, and proteoglycans. At this point, the keloid scar has a rubbery or nodular appearance and a firm texture. The keloid may be darker than the surrounding skin, or a different color entirely. Keloids are benign fibrous tumors, but they can be unsightly growths and can cause pain and/or itchiness to varying degrees. In severe cases where a keloid scar is large and located near a joint, mobility may be impaired. It is also possible for keloid scars to ulcerate if they become infected.
Keloid scars are in some ways similar to hypertrophic scars, another type of abnormal scarring, but keloid scars grow beyond the boundaries of the injury, while hypertrophic scars do not.
Keloids usually form at the site of an injury that causes scarring, but can form at sites of piercings, acne pimples, or in small scratches in susceptible individuals. People with darker skin are more likely to develop keloids, but both sexes are equally affected.
Scar treatment for these can be difficult because recurrence is likely. Any wound created trying to remove scars is likely to be healed in the same manner that formed the initial keloid. If a keloid scar is surgically removed, it will most likely grow back. There is a 45 to 100 % chance, unless a combination therapy is used. Oftentimes surgery and scar medicine used regularly can combine to make them less noticeable.
It is important for patients susceptible to keloids to keep in mind that unnecessary surgery, body piercing, tattoos, and mole removal should be avoided. In addition, skin infections and acne should be treated promptly to prevent additional skin abnormalities from forming.
One effective treatment in reducing the size of keloids is injection of corticosteroids into the keloid. It is also possible to freeze a keloid scar via cryosurgery; however, hypopigmentation of skin is a side-effect. Other possible treatments used to treat scars include laser treatment, radiation treatment and scar reduction cream. For best results, keloid scars should be treated as soon as possible.
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