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Keloids
Keloid scar; Scar - keloid
A keloid is a growth of extra scar tissue. It occurs where the skin has healed after an injury.
Causes
Keloids can form after skin injuries from:
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Acne
Acne
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Chickenpox
Chickenpox
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- Minor scratches
- Cuts from surgery or trauma
- Vaccination sites
Keloids are most common in people younger than 30. Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics are more prone to developing keloids. Keloids often run in families. Sometimes, a person may not recall what injury caused a keloid to form.
Symptoms
A keloid may be:
- Flesh-colored, red, or pink
- Located over the site of a wound or injury
- Lumpy or ridged
- Tender and itchy
- Irritated from friction such as rubbing on clothing
A keloid will tan darker than the skin around it if exposed to sun during the first year after it forms. The darker color may not go away.
Exams and Tests
Your doctor will look at your skin to see if you have a keloid. A skin biopsy may be done to rule out other types of skin growths (tumors).
Skin biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined. The skin is tested to look for skin conditions or diseases. A...
Treatment
Keloids often DO NOT need treatment. If the keloid bothers you, these things can be done to reduce the size:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Freezing (cryotherapy)
- Laser treatments
- Radiation
- Surgical removal
- Silicone gel or patches
These treatments, especially surgery, sometimes cause the keloid scar to become larger.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Keloids usually are not harmful to your health, but they may affect how you look.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
- You develop keloids and want to have them removed or reduced
- You develop new symptoms
Prevention
When you are in the sun:
- Cover a keloid that is forming with a patch or adhesive bandage.
- Use sunblock.
Continue to follow these steps for at least 6 months after injury or surgery for an adults. Children may need up to 18 months of prevention.
Imiquimod cream may help prevent keloids from forming after surgery. The cream also prevents keloids from returning from after they are removed.
References
Berman B, Huo R, Viera M. Keloids. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Berth-Jones J, Coulson I, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014:chap 116.
Patterson JW. Disorders of collagen. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2016:chap 11.
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Keloid above the ear - illustration
Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue that follow skin injuries. Keloids may appear after such minor trauma as ear piercing. Dark skinned individuals tend to form keloids more readily than lighter skinned individuals.
Keloid above the ear
illustration
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Keloid, pigmented - illustration
Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue that follow skin injuries. Keloids may appear after such minor trauma as ear piercing. Dark-skinned individuals tend to form keloids more readily than lighter skinned individuals. These patches of keloid have become darkly pigmented.
Keloid, pigmented
illustration
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Keloid, on the foot - illustration
A keloid is a type of exaggerated (hypertrophic) scar that usually appears following an obvious injury. Keloids may expand beyond the margin of the scar to include normal skin.
Keloid, on the foot
illustration
-
Keloid above the ear - illustration
Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue that follow skin injuries. Keloids may appear after such minor trauma as ear piercing. Dark skinned individuals tend to form keloids more readily than lighter skinned individuals.
Keloid above the ear
illustration
-
Keloid, pigmented - illustration
Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue that follow skin injuries. Keloids may appear after such minor trauma as ear piercing. Dark-skinned individuals tend to form keloids more readily than lighter skinned individuals. These patches of keloid have become darkly pigmented.
Keloid, pigmented
illustration
-
Keloid, on the foot - illustration
A keloid is a type of exaggerated (hypertrophic) scar that usually appears following an obvious injury. Keloids may expand beyond the margin of the scar to include normal skin.
Keloid, on the foot
illustration
Review Date: 10/24/2016
Reviewed By: David L. Swanson, MD, Vice Chair of Medical Dermatology, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Medical School, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
