- Keloid is a type of scar which occurs in genetically predisposed patients. Most commonly it is seen on chest and upper back but can occur anywhere on body. Following a skin injury sometimes the wound heals with production of excess repair tissue i.e. collagen, which then gets deposited in these scars resulting in either a hypertrophic scar or a keloid. It mimics hypertrophic scar, however two are totally different.
- Keloid be formed for many different reasons, like infections, surgery, injuries or inflammation of tissue like after acne.
- Keloid may appear anywhere on the body
- Hypertrophic scars – In hypertrophic scars the excess collagen is deposited within the borders of the original injury. They may be painful and itchy and can occur in any area of the body.
- Keloids – They tend to extend in a claw-like fashion beyond the border of the original injury, becoming more itchy over time. They occur more often in darker-skinned people. Common sites are chest, earlobes, shoulders, upper back.
- Hypertrophic scars tend to regress in time becoming flatter and smoother however keloids may continue to expand in size for decades.s
Treatments at our clinic for Keloid
Treatments for keloids and hypertrophic scars vary. There is no one simple cure and a customized treatment plan is essential. Treatment may include the following
- Creams and Lotions – Topical creams or gels containing steroid or silicon can be used that help flatten keloids and hypertrophic scars. But they will not completely disappear. Therefore, they are used in combination treatment with various other treatments.
- Steroid Injections – Steroids are injected directly into the scar tissue to help decrease the itching, redness, and burning sensations and also decrease the size of the scar. A series of injections is usually required to gain the maximal effect – generally given at 2-3 week intervals. They should be given by trained practitioners only.
- Cryotherapy –Use of liquid nitrogen with extremely cold temperature of -196 degree to freeze excess collagen deposited and if combined with steroid injection, it gives much faster and better result.
Why our clinic for Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars?
We, at our clinic, assess & examine and plan an individualized treatment protocol combining the above mentioned procedures to achieve the best result with each session.
