OVERVIEW

What are keloids or hypertrophic scars?

A keloid or hypertrophic scar is a type of raised scar. When skin is injured, wound healing process starts to repair and heal it. Sometimes this healing tissue grows excessively forming raised scars like hypertrophic scars or keloids. Hypertrophic scars are confined within margins of wound but keloids can be larger than the original wound.Keloids can develop in any part of the body however are more commonly found on chest (pre sternal area), ears, neck, shoulders and back.

CAUSES

Why are keloids or hypertrophic scars formed?

Keloids are formed when the healing process that place after injury, gets overactive. Keloids and hypertrophic scars represent an excessive tissue response to dermal injury characterized by local fibroblast proliferation and overproduction of collagen.Dark skinned individuals are more prone to keloid formation. Following types of injuries can contribute to formation of keloids:

• Burns
• Surgical incision sites
• Acne scars
• Chicken-pox scars
• Ear piercing
• Scratches
• Vaccination sites

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of hypertrophic scars or keloids ?

They are skin colored to hyperpigmented or erythematous raised nodular scars. Most of smaller lesions are asymptomatic while larger lesions can have itching or pain. There is strong tendency of recurrence.

What is the difference between a keloid and a hypertrophic scar?

Hypertrophic scars are smooth surfaced raised plaques and confined to margins of original wound. Keloids can extend beyond the margins of original wound and at periphery it can have claws like appearance.

TREATMENT

How does doctor diagnose keloid or hypertrophic scar?

Clinically. Generally no test required. Rarely skin biopsy can be done to differentiate from other cuase of firm nodules.

How are keloids or hypertrophic scars treated?

Keloids can be difficult to get rid of, and some return after treatment. Following are the treatment options:

Silicon or onion extract creams: They can be used for smaller new lesions to prevent further growth. They are minimally effective in old matured lesions.

Silicon get sheets: Sometimes these gel sheets are beneficial in reducing size and thickness of lesion. They need to apply for certain hours in a day for 3-4 months. They are useful in linear ans small lesions.

Intralesional injection: Keloids or hypertrophic scars are usually treated by intralesional steroid or 5FU injection. When injected into the keloid, these medicines help to shrink the scar. Usually, 3-4 treatments are required, 3-4 weeks apart.

Cryotherapy: Here, the lesionis frozen using a probe containing liquid nitrogen. It can be a bit painful. Following the treatment, a blister forms around the keloid and it falls of along with the dead tissue eventually in 1-2 weeks.

CO2 Laser Scar treatment:Raised scars can also be treated by Co2 laser treatment. This will reduce thickness of keloid or hypertrophic scar, making it less noticeable. CO2 laser treatment for raised scars can be combined with intralesional injections of steroid and 5 FU to get faster results and prevent recurrences.

Surgical excision:It is least preferred option specially for keloids because of high tendency of recurrence. Ear lobe keloids are generally treated by surgical excision. Surgery is followed by injections of steroids at edges of wound to prevent recurrence.

TIPS

1. Keep a note of tendency of having exagerated wound healing process in your body.
2. Always share with your doctor before any surgical procedure about this tendency.
3. Smaller & ealry lesions can be treated with medical treatment or silicon gel sheets at home.
4. If you are having increase in size of lesion, itching in lesion or wound in lesion then you should visit your dermatologist.
5. Don’t scratch the lesion, wounds in keloids or hypertrophic scar may aggrevate the lesion.
6. Don’t try un-approved things for treatment at home.

FAQs

When should I see a doctor for keloid?

If a keloid shows any of the following changes, you should see a doctor:

• If it Grows in size or number
• If it Itches
• If it Bleeds
• If involved site is causing cosmetic concern.

Why Should I choose Dr.Kothiwala’s SkinEva Clinic?

There are many reasons which give Dr.Kothiwala’s SkinEva Clinic an edge over other skin clinics:

• You will have a detailed consultation with the best dermatologist in Jaipur, Dr.Sunil Kothiwala.
• Selection of most effective treatment modality as per your disease
• All the treatments of keloids are conducted by Dr.Sunil Kothiwala, under strict guidelines and protocols to ensure your safety.
• All possible treatments are available at clinic.

Are keloids dangerous?

Although keloids are not harmful but if they are large in size then they can cause severe pain and itching that may cause disruption in daily quality of life.

Can keloid become cancerous?

Usually smaller lesions without ulcer don’t change into cancerous growth. But post burn large keloids with non healing chronic ulcers can have cancerous growth.
For more information on Keloids & Hypertrophic or to inquire about other services please contact us on 7669571405.