Keloids 101: What You Need to Know

Keloids are a type of scar tissue that grows abnormally. Most scars stay within the original wound’s borders, whether flat, raised, or indented. Keloids are scar tissue that grows beyond the wound, creating a raised growth that is not easily removed. While keloids are benign and not dangerous, they can cause discomfort and aesthetic concerns for individuals with these growths. Here are some of the basics about keloids and how they can be treated.

What Causes Keloids?

The exact cause of keloids is unknown, but we know that any skin wound can cause a keloid to form. When you have a skin injury, your body produces collagen to repair the tissue. With keloids, too much collagen is created. The body keeps producing collagen that creates the keloid scar. Minor wounds like piercings or acne can trigger keloids, but the growths can become the size of a baseball or larger over time.

Anyone can have a keloid occur, but there are risk factors. If others in your family have had keloids, you are more likely to have one form. Individuals with darker skin are more likely to have a keloid, and most people with keloids are young adults.

Can Keloids Be Prevented?

Properly caring for any wound to the skin by keeping it clean and covered are the best preventive measures for keloids. However, if you are prone to keloids, there is not a 100% guaranteed way to prevent keloids.

Signs of a Keloid

Keloids do not usually appear right away. It is estimated that 20% of keloids do not appear for over a year after the initial wound to the skin. Most keloids begin to appear anywhere from three to twelve months after the wound occurs. Some of the signs a keloid is growing include:

• Raised scar tissue
• Scar tissue that is red or darker than the surrounding skin
• Keloids are typically smooth and hairless
• Scar tissue is itchy or painful
• The formation is on the upper body, such as the ear, shoulders, jaw, chest, or upper back

Keloids tend to grow slowly and may continue to grow for months or even years. Once they stop growing, they do not fade or shrink on their own. Treatment is needed to remove a keloid.

Treatment for Keloids

Keloids are notoriously tricky to remove. A large keloid can be surgically removed but can also grow back if treatment is not performed. There are various treatments we offer at International Keloid & Scar Treatment Center for keloid removal. These include steroid injections, laser therapy, radiation therapy, superficial radiation therapy (SRT), and surgical excision. Many patients require a combination of treatments to remove a keloid and prevent regrowth.

If you have a keloid causing discomfort or cosmetic concerns, effective treatments are available. To learn more about keloid treatment, contact our team at International Keloid & Scar Treatment Center. Call our medical center in Orlando, FL, to schedule a keloid treatment consultation.