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Conditions Basics
What is a keloid scar?
A keloid (say "KEE-loyd") is a scar that grows bigger and wider than the original injury. Keloids most commonly grow on the breastbone, shoulder, upper chest and back, earlobes, and face.
Keloids do not become cancer. But they can be bothersome or painful enough that you seek treatment. Keloids often grow back after treatment.
It's possible to prevent a keloid from forming if you take steps to protect the skin after it is damaged.
What causes it?
Keloids can form where the skin is damaged, such as by a surgery cut, a piercing, a burn, chickenpox, or acne. Thick tissue grows up and out from the healing area, making the scar bigger than the original injury. For some people, even a scratch can lead to keloids.
Keloids do run in families, and they rarely grow in light-colored skin. Experts think that keloids may be linked to a gene that is linked to dark skin pigment.
What are the symptoms?
Keloids look like firm, raised, hard scars. They grow larger over time. Their colors vary from slightly pink to very dark.
Keloids can rub against your clothes and become irritated, itchy, or painful. When exposed to the sun, they may turn darker than the rest of your skin. The dark color may stay.
How is a keloid treated?
There is no sure cure for keloids, but treatment sometimes improves how they look and feel. It is common for keloids to grow back after treatment.
When trying to treat a keloid, your doctor may need to use more than one type of treatment. Based on a keloid's size and location, and how soon it is treated, your doctor may:
- Freeze it. This is called cryotherapy. It is best used for small keloids, such as from acne. Cryotherapy can lighten the skin.
- Inject it with medicine.
- A corticosteroid is the most commonly used medicine for reducing keloids. It is most likely to work well with cryotherapy or right after surgery.
- Other medicines may improve keloids. These include verapamil, fluorouracil, bleomycin, and interferon alfa-2b shots. They are not as well studied as corticosteroid shots, but your doctor may recommend trying one. They are most likely to work when used with another treatment.
- Cut it away. Surgery is sometimes used to remove larger keloids. But removing keloids can lead to more keloids. So it's important to treat the area after surgery. Treatment may include laser or medicine injections. You can also:
- Cover the area with a silicone gel bandage after surgery. You can buy these at most drugstores. Keep the silicone bandage on the skin for 12 to 24 hours a day for 2 to 6 months. Your doctor will tell you when you can stop treatment.
- Keep pressure on it with a wrap or bandage.
Radiation tends to be reserved as a last option for treating keloids. There is a chance that it can cause cancer.
Your health insurance may cover some keloid treatments, but not others. Your treatment also may not be covered if the insurance company thinks it's being done only to improve how the scar looks (cosmetic reasons).
How can you prevent it?
If you tend to get keloids, it's best to avoid body piercings, tattoos, or any surgery you do not need. Keloids can grow after these procedures.
To prevent keloids after a minor skin injury, start treating it right away. This may help it heal faster and with less scarring. Using the following tips to treat the area may help prevent keloid growth.
- Cover a new wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Hold the bandage in place with tape so that there is even pressure on the wound. Wash the area with soap and water every day.
- After a wound is healed over, use a silicone gel bandage. Keep even pressure on the area. This may prevent keloid growth. Keep the bandage on the skin for 12 to 24 hours a day for 2 to 3 months. (It takes 3 months for a keloid to grow).
- After ear piercing, use pressure earrings. These are also called Zimmer splints.
Current as of: November 16, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
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FAQs
There are no proven methods of removing keloid scars naturally. Some clinical studies have shown that onion extract used orally or on the skin might possibly be effective in improving the appearance of keloid scars and reducing itchiness and discomfort.
How do you break up a keloid scar? ›
Experts recommend a series of five steroid shots given 4 to 6 weeks apart to reduce the size and improve the appearance of your keloid scar. Some keloid scars can be treated with a low-dose radiation therapy known as superficial external beam therapy. This beam uses highly directed X-rays on the scar.
Can keloid scars go away? ›
You cannot get rid of a keloid scar, but there are treatments that can help improve how it looks and reduce irritation. Treatments may include: steroid injections or cream. silicone dressings or gels.
Are keloid scars unattractive? ›
They are characterized by thick, raised and sometimes itchy skin patches extending beyond the original wound's boundaries. While keloid scars are not harmful, they can be unsightly and cause discomfort or self-consciousness for those who experience them.
How do you flatten a keloid fast? ›
Injections of steroidal anti-inflammatories have been known to help with keloids. However, these have been shown to be more effective following major treatments for keloids. Treatments include surgical scar removal, laser treatment, and more, as noted in a.
Does apple cider vinegar remove keloids? ›
Apple Cider Vinegar As a natural astringent and exfoliator, apple cider vinegar prevents scar-promoting cells from entering the keloid site, reducing both the pigmentation and the size of the scar.
What does Vaseline do to keloids? ›
Keloids can be relatively uncomfortable and restrict movement, especially if occurring at joints. Try Vaseline's skin-care products enriched with ingredients like aloe and nourishing argan oil, to help soften and soothe the skin at the scar. Read up on how you can heal your scars with the help of Vaseline.
Can you pop a keloid scar? ›
It may be very tempting to squeeze an ear keloid. However, you can't pop an ear keloid. Ear keloids are a type of scar tissue, so there isn't any pus to squeeze out, like a pimple. Trying to pop a keloid on your ear can damage your skin and introduce bacteria, which can cause an infection.
What are inside keloids? ›
Keloids are filled with extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and fibronectin. Collagen, synthesized by fibroblasts, is the major constituent of keloids. It is an essential protein that provides structural support and strength to the skin tissue.
Is keloid removal covered by insurance? ›
Health insurance may not cover keloid removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, leading to out-of-pocket expenses.
Prevention is often more effective than treatment, as removing a keloid often causes another skin wound, leading to potentially developing another keloid. “Since we don't understand keloids themselves, treatment can possibly stimulate more keloid formation,” says Dr.
At what age do keloids stop growing? ›
Keloids may continue to grow slowly for weeks, months or years. They eventually stop growing but do not disappear on their own. Once a keloid develops, it is permanent unless removed or treated successfully.
What ointment is good for keloids? ›
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is a product that helps improve the appearance of various types of scars, including keloid scars. Enhanced with onion extract, a key ingredient in scar creams, it helps to soften and reduce the visibility of scars, including hypertrophic, atrophic, and ice pick scars.
Who is prone to keloid scarring? ›
In the United States, Black people between the ages of 10 and 30 have the greatest risk of developing a keloid. Researchers continue to study keloids to find out what causes them. Knowing exactly what causes this type of scar could lead to better treatment and more effective ways to prevent keloids.
Can you push a keloid out? ›
It may be very tempting to squeeze an ear keloid. However, you can't pop an ear keloid. Ear keloids are a type of scar tissue, so there isn't any pus to squeeze out, like a pimple. Trying to pop a keloid on your ear can damage your skin and introduce bacteria, which can cause an infection.
How do you get rid of a keloid with a rubber band? ›
Rubber bands are used as a home remedy to remove ear and other keloids. This procedure carries a risk, as one cannot fully control the extent of injury to the normal ear tissue that may be caused by the rubber band.
What is the best cream to remove keloids? ›
Considering your skin type and any potential allergies to ingredients is crucial when selecting a keloid scar removal cream to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Mederma Advanced Scar Gel. ...
- Kelo-Cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel. ...
- Bio-Oil Skincare Oil. ...
- Derma E Scar Gel. ...
- TCM Scar and Acne Mark Removal Gel Ointment.
