Keloid Scar Definition

A keloid is scar tissue that grows excessively after an injury heals, sometimes extending beyond the original wound site. Even seemingly minor injuries such as acne and piercings can cause keloids.

Risk Factors

• Keloids frequently occur in families and are common in African Americans and people with darker skin. Skin injuries and traumas, such as chickenpox and vaccination sites, can lead to keloids.

Symptoms

• The main symptoms of a keloid are raised, lumpy, itchy or painful lesions on a wound site. These lesions range in color from flesh to pink or red. The scars are more common on the earlobes, shoulders or upper chest and back.

Diagnosis

• A visual exam is often all that is necessary to diagnose a keloid. A skin biopsy may be needed to rule out another condition such as a tumor.

Treatment

• Keloids often do not require treatment and may go away on their own after a few years. If they are large or bothersome, they may be reduced by laser treatments, surgical removal or freezing.

Complications

• Aside from the emotional aspect of the keloid altering a person's appearance, complications are relatively minor and include irritation from friction against clothing, tenderness at the location and recurrence of the condition (keloidosis).