Understanding Keloid Scars: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Have you ever noticed a thick, raised scar extending beyond the original wound area? It is called a keloid scar.
These stubborn skin growths can be frustrating, but understanding keloid causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help you address them effectively.
What are Keloid Scars?
Keloid scars are raised, thickened scars that form due to an overproduction of collagen during the skin’s healing process. Keloid Scars often extend beyond the original wound site. Keloid scars can result from any skin injury, but certain factors make their development more likely.
Keloid Causes:
- Genetics: A family history of keloids increases the likelihood of developing keloid scars.
- Skin Tone: Individuals of darker skin tones are more prone to keloid formation.
- Injuries and Trauma: Surgical incisions, acne scars, burns, piercings, and tattoos can all trigger keloid scars.
- Abnormal Healing Response: Any trauma penetrating the deeper skin layers can lead to the excessive collagen production responsible for keloid scars.
Understanding these keloid causes helps implement effective prevention and treatment strategies for managing keloid scars.
Identifying the Symptoms of Keloid Scars
Beyond Cosmetic Concern: Keloid scars can cause itching, tenderness, and pain, making early identification crucial.
- Overgrowth of Scar Tissue: Raised, shiny scar tissue extends beyond the original wound site.
- Colour Variation: Keloids can range from pink to red or darker shades depending on skin tone.
- Firm and Smooth Texture: Keloid scars often feel firm or rubbery and have a smoother surface than the surrounding skin.
- Sensations: Itching or burning, especially when exposed to sunlight or friction from clothing.
Early detection and proactive care are essential in managing keloid scars effectively. Understanding keloid causes can help in prevention and treatment planning.
Keloid treatment: What are your options?
Keloid scars can be challenging to treat, but several common options are available.
- Keloid treatment injections, typically corticosteroids, are highly effective in reducing the size and appearance of keloid scars. These injections help to flatten and soften the keloid by reducing inflammation and preventing further growth of scar tissue.
- Another approach is cryotherapy, where freezing temperatures shrink the scar tissue.
- Surgical removal is also an option for some keloids, although this method carries a risk of recurrence.
- Laser therapy can effectively reduce the size and redness of keloid scars by targeting the blood vessels that feed the scar tissue.
- Silicone gel sheets or gels may help soften and flatten keloids over time when applied consistently. Pressure dressings or silicone gel pads can also help minimise keloid thickness by applying constant pressure to the affected area.
Individuals respond to treatments differently based on their skin type and scar severity.
How to Stop a Keloid from Growing?
Preventing a keloid from growing requires early and proactive intervention. Keeping the wound clean and moisturised and protecting it from infections can significantly reduce the chances of keloid formation.
Using over-the-counter silicone gel sheets or pressure garments can help minimise the growth of keloids.
Additionally, corticosteroid creams or keloid treatment injections administered by a healthcare professional can reduce inflammation and halt the keloid’s progression.
For individuals prone to keloids, avoiding unnecessary skin trauma such as piercings or tattoos can be crucial in preventing new keloid formation and ensuring permanent keloid removal.
For those seeking more advanced treatments, medical interventions such as laser therapy, cryotherapy, or surgical removal combined with keloid treatment injections can offer more permanent keloid removal options.
Consulting with an expert like Dr Frank provides personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
Consult Dr Frank Conroy for permanent keloid removal
Consult Dr Frank Conroy, a renowned plastic surgeon to effectively address and eliminate keloid scars.
With his expertise and personalized treatment plans, you can take proactive steps in managing keloid scars.
Don’t let these bothersome scars hold you back any longer—seek professional guidance from Dr Frank today for a smooth journey towards clear and healthy skin.
Say goodbye to keloid scars and hello to renewed confidence with the help of Dr Frank Conroy!