KELOID SCARS

Keloid scars are thick, elevated scars. It may form at any part of the body where there is skin damage, but it often develops on the chest, shoulders, cheeks, or earlobes.

Although keloid scars are not physically damaging, they may nonetheless be upsetting. The key is early detection or prevention.

SYMPTOMS

Within months to years following the initiating injury, a keloid scars may develop. Some symptoms includes:

  • scarring that is thick and asymmetrical, usually on the earlobes, shoulders,
  • cheekbones, or center of the chest
  • shining, hairless, lumpy, and elevated skin
  • itchiness
  • discomfort

Also, please keep in mind that these symptoms may vary from one person to another.

DIAGNOSIS

Usually, a dermatologist can identify a keloid only by looking at it. The diagnosis will depend on your medical history, as well as the appearance of your scar.

However, keloid scars may look similar to symptoms of other ailments. If this is the case, a skin biopsy may be carried out by your dermatologist in order to rule out other health conditions. Your dermatologist will numb the region and take a tiny sample of skin to examine under a microscope during a skin biopsy.

The skin that was taken is sent to a medical lab by your dermatologist. The extracted sample will be examined by an expert, who will then provide a report. It details what was seen under a microscope for your dermatologist.

TREATMENT

The following are some treatments for keloid scars.

Wound care. Compression dressings constructed from elastic cloth or other materials may be the initial course of therapy for more recent keloids.

Corticosteroid cream. Itching may be reduced by using a corticosteroid cream with a prescription.

Injectable medication. Your doctor may try injecting cortisone or other steroids into a smaller keloid to lessen its thickness.

Freezing the scar. Cryotherapy, or the freezing of small keloids with liquid nitrogen, may decrease or eradicate them.

Laser therapy. Pulsed-dye laser treatments may flatten larger keloids. This technique has also helped to reduce itching and make keloids disappear.

Radiation therapy. Low-level X-ray radiation helps reduce scar tissue following keloid surgery.

Surgical removal. If alternative treatments don’t work, your doctor may suggest surgery.

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