KELOIDS
Keloids are scar tissues that are tough and grow abruptly on the skin injuries. Patients suffering from keloids experience pain and itching. Keloids feel firm and rubbery; look shiny and rounded with a colour matching the colour of the skin of the patient or may appear purple or brown. It is because of an overgrowth of granulation tissue, which is also called collagen type 3, at the location of a skin injury that has healed and is then replaced by collagen type 1. This overgrowth expands over surrounding normal skin. Keloids may occur post an injury at the affected area on the body. Pierced body parts or areas that have had acne or scarring due to chicken pox or tears in the ear lobes that have recently been corrected etc. can also be affected by keloids. They grow over a closed or healed injury and grow to a certain final size beyond the area that was injured. They occur mostly on the upper back, chest area and on shoulders. It is a non-contagious condition and is benign and is treated mostly because they cause pain and itching and obstructs the normal movement of the skin as they are massive in size.
Patients whose bodies are more prone to growing keloids tissues need to proactively inform us so that we can take care while treating them. In case you to do not know whether you are prone to growing keloid tissues; we can conduct a few tests to confirm the same. This is especially important for cosmetic surgeries. We minimize formation of keloids by carrying out a few tried and tested processes like covering the wounds with silicon gel or using radiation treatments during the healing stage.
There are several other treatment options available that can be used to treat keloids. We have elaborated a few for your understanding.
- Scar removal – This one is done in case there is a possibility of the occurrence of ulceration if the keloids are infected.
- Dressings – This is a painless process wherein the wound dressing is done with silicon gel while the wound is healing as explained above.
- Compression technique – This process involves tying a bandage for a few months over the areas prone to develop keloids. This doesn’t allow the keloids to grow beyond the compression of the bandage.
- Laser therapy – In some cases, laser therapy might be successful in removing keloid tissues.
