What is the treatment for keloids?

Answer 1

The often misunderstood"Keloid".

Well here's the skinny on "what it is" and "how it happens". A keloid is a grouping of disorganized skin cells formed in locations of injury where the surface tissue has been damaged or cut. Often referred to as "scar tissue", this tissue because of it's disorganised structure doesn't stretch ( if it does, it doesn't stretch as far as the surrounding normal tissue ). Deep burns, deep cuts and other more invasive injuries will form keloids to fill in the area of damage to protect the bodies inner workings.

Body piercings do not form keloids because the body is guarded from the outside by the jewellery in the piercing, so the body forms a "fistula*" (*a tube of skin ) this is actual organised skin cells that have the ability to stretch unlike scar tissue. Lumps and bumps beside the piercings are quite often called Keloids but this is a mistake made by most inexperienced body piercers ( generally due to a lack of further training and self education ). These bumps are another animal all together known as a "Hypertrophic Reaction".

Hypertrophic Reactions are just what the name infers a "reaction" generally a hypertrophic reaction can occur with any organs in or on the human body ( skin is an organ ). When they occur with a piercing, it's due to the application of an irritant ( generally the cleaner or disinfectant that has been recommended to clean and heal the piercing ). The application of this or the over use of these agents cause irritation to the new "fistula" the body is forming and thus the "reaction" occurs. A bump generally reddish in color will form near or at the entry or exit point of the piercing.

The client will at discovery of this bump, unknowingly apply even more cleaner or aftercare solution or spray and thus annoy the tissue even more. Simply ceasing the application of products and irrigating the piercing daily under running water has been found effective is 99% of the clients who have formed "hypertrophic reactions". The time period to see a change in this reaction can be from a few days to a couple of weeks. I hope you have found the above enlightening and informative and is based on over 16 years of experience professionally providing several thousand piercings over that time period.

Answer 2

Do you know it's a keloid scar to start with? If it's a piercing related bump chances are good that it's not a keloid at all, but actually a "hypertrophic reaction". Lots of strange bumps and lumps are seen with piercings that have been mistreated and mislabeled. Often as not someone has called them Keloid scars. Well maybe and maybe not. Here's a professional piercers test for you.

**Keloid scars are the formation of lumps present post surgically and usually in the area of and incision or puncture wound. In piercing this is sometimes cause by trauma to the piercing during it's healing period. The lump or the Keloid is a build up of Collagen and will not dissipate over time but in fact grow in some cases. There is generally no discharge from a Keloid scar. Usually seen in dark skin people, African, Asian. This is not usually common in Caucasian people. However if a person has formed Keloids before they will stand chance of forming them again. Treatment for this condition should be referral to a doctor or medical treatment centre.

**Hypertrophic scars are the formation of a localized bump at one point or both points of a body piercing and a gooey discharge, but not puss. These are caused by repeated irritation of the tissue entering and exiting the piercing, usually due to the misuse of cleaning products, salts or antibiotic ointments. Treatment of these is simple - irrigation of the area with plenty of clear running water after bathing or showering. The use of cleaning products, ointments or lotions should be terminated during this time. This condition will dry up and improve over the next 3 or 4 days at which point a re-assessment of cleaning procedures, frequency of cleanings and aftercare products should be considered and applied in a conservative manner.

Now unless you have seen a keloid or a hypertrophic scar before, chances are you will have no idea what the difference is, but to a properly trained piercer the difference is obvious. Most inexperienced and un-researched piercers will call a hypertrophic scar a keloid; why, I am unsure but they do and most people believe them. Hypertrophic scars are the most common of the batch of lumps and bumps in body piercing, as outlined above it's due to an irritant. These same piercers are the ones recommending contact lens solution for cleaning piercings, Bactine, Epsom Salts, Neosporin, Polysporin, Tea Tree Oil, Betadine and a few other goodies that I just won't bother mentioning. If you remove the irritant the condition will disappear!

Answer 3

Keloids are common among Polynesians and Asians, mostly Chinese. First, have you noticed when you scratch your skin with your nails, your skin becomes irritated. If they come up, see a dermatologist. There are special shots and treatments. If it came out because of ear piercing, the color will not go away unless you have a special laser surgery. Trust, me, I have keloids, too. They hurt, but don't touch them unless instructed to by the doctor. I recommend (if you live around Arlington Heights/Mount Prospect) to see Dr. Bukhalo. He is awesome.

Answer 4

an injection of corticosteroid drugs such as cortisone directly into the lesion. These injections cause the keloid to become atrophic, or thinner, and are repeated every three to four weeks

Answer 5

The dermatologist may be able to offer treatment for keloids due to chickenpox. There isn't any vitamin or home remedy that will work.

Answer 6

Keloids do not go away. They are caused by scar tissue that doesn't know when to stop. You can have them removed however this will usually cause the scar to come back bigger.

Answer 7

Laser therapy is now used to treat keloids. It is often combined with steroid injections to give the best cosmetic result.

Answer 8

Some things you could put on keloids to get rid of them faster are aloe gel, lemon juice, or onion extract.

Answer 9

There is no cure for keloids.