Keloids

A keloid is a especial type of scar which results in an overgrowth of tissue at the site of a healed skin injury. A keloid, occassionally referred to as a keloid scar, is a tough heaped-up scar that rises quite precipitously above the rest of the skin. Keloids are firm, rubbery lesions or shiny, fibrous nodules and can differ from pink to flesh-colored or red to dark brown in color. Keloid isn't deathly but a keloid scar exposed to the sun can increase the chance of getting skin cancer. Though anyone can form a keloid scar some ethnic groups are at more chance of developing them.

Keloids happens less frequently at the extremes of age, although an increasing number of presternal keloids have resulted from coronary artery bypass operations and other similar procedures now undertaken in persons in older age groups. Most keloids will flatten and become less ponderable over a period of several years. They may become irritated from rubbing on clothing or other types of friction. Extensive keloids may become binding, limiting mobility. Keloids are more common in African-Americans.

Keloids are really just an hyperbolism of the normal healing process which results in scar formation after an injury. Keloids basically appear following surgery or injury, but they can also appear spontaneously or as a result of some slight inflammation, such as an acne pimple on the chest. They are seen most commonly on the shoulders, upper back and chest, but they can arise anywhere. A keloid is benign, non-infectious and usually painless (though sometimes can be accompanied by a sharp pain), but they can be a cosmetic problem.

Keloids on the central chest and extremities are usually raised with a flat region, and the base is often wider than the top. Keloids usually run in families. Keloidosis is a term used when multiple or repeated keloids occur. When a keloid is linked with a skin incision or injury, the keloid scar tissue prolongs to grow for a time after the original wound has closed, becoming larger and more visible till it reaches a final size. Most keloids will prostrate and become less noticeable over a period of several years.

Causes of Keloid

The common causes and risk factor's of Keloid include the following:

• Skin injuries such as surgical incisions, traumatic wounds, vaccination sites, burns, chickenpox, acne, or even minor scratches.
• A family history of this disease.
• Exposure to the sun during the first year of the keloid's formation will cause the keloid to tan darker than surrounding skin.
• Deep skin wounds, such as those from burns or surgical scars.
• Keloids occur more often in dark-skinned people.
• It is believed that keloids are the result of an abnormality in the local hormonal or enzyme mechanisms which determine how much tissue formation is appropriate.

Symptoms of Keloid

Some sign and symptoms related to Keloid are as follows:

• Keloids usually appear in areas of previous trauma but may extend beyond the injured area.
• Some keloids become quite large and unsightly.
• Burning.
• Keloids are developed and look shiny and dome-shaped, varying in color from pink to red.
• Tenderness.
• They can be soggy or firm and rubbery to the touch, and they often feel itchy, tender or uncomfortable.

Treatment of Keloid

Here is list of the methods for treating Keloid:

• The best treatment is to penetrate a long-acting cortisone into the keloid once in a month. After several injections with cortisone, the keloid frequently becomes less conspicuous and flattens in three to six months time.
• Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them, but often darkens the site of treatment.
• Surgery may be used to treat the disease.
• Discoloration from sun exposure can be prevented by covering the forming keloid with a patch or Band-Aid, and by using sunblockers when spending time in the sun.
• Laser therapy is an alternative to conventional surgery for keloid removal.
• Radiation after surgical excision has also been used.

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