Overview
Keloid scars are thick, raised scars that typically form at the site of a skin injury. They can happen on any part of the body. But keloid scars are most common on the ears, shoulders, upper back and chest. Keloid scars also are called keloids.
Treatment is available for keloid scars. But sometimes it can be hard to get rid of keloids completely. And keloids may come back after treatment. Treatment typically works best if it's done soon after a keloid scar forms.
Keloid scars don't lead to other health concerns. But if you don't like how a keloid looks or feels, talk with your healthcare professional. It may be possible to flatten or remove the scar. Even with treatment, a keloid scar may last for years. It also might come back after treatment.
Symptoms
A keloid scar may form after an injury to the skin. Sometimes it might take months or years for the scar to develop. Symptoms can include:
- Thick scarring typically on the ear, shoulder, upper back or chest.
- Shiny, hairless, lumpy, raised skin that continues to grow for weeks to months. Some keloids may grow for years.
- Red, brown or purple coloring, depending on the skin's color.
- Itchiness, pain or a feeling of burning on the keloid scar.
A keloid's size can range from just a few millimeters to 700 millimeters or more. That's smaller than the size of a pea to larger than the size of a football. The texture of a keloid scar can vary, from soft and doughy to firm and rubbery.
A keloid scar is similar to another type of scar, called a hypertrophic scar. Both are unusual scars that may form after a skin injury. But a keloid scar grows beyond the area where the skin was injured. A hypertrophic scar stays within the borders of the original injury. Most hypertrophic scars go away with treatment and don't come back. They also may go away on their own without treatment. Keloids won't go away without treatment. And although treatment may be helpful for keloids, treatment doesn't always work. Keloid scars can come back after treatment.
When to see a doctor
Early treatment can help limit a keloid's growth. Make an appointment to see your healthcare professional soon after you notice a keloid scar. If you want to treat a keloid scar that you've had for a while or if a keloid is causing symptoms such as pain or itchiness, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in skin conditions, called a dermatologist.
Causes
Experts don't completely understand what causes keloid scars. But it's likely that keloids form due to a problem with the way a wound heals. For example, collagen is a protein found throughout the body that's useful for wound healing. But if the body makes too much collagen as an injury heals, keloid scars may form.
A keloid scar may form after any kind of skin injury. Examples include an insect bite, acne, a shot, body piercings, burns, hair removal, and even minor scratches and bumps. Sometimes keloids form for no clear reason.
Keloids aren't contagious, and they aren't cancer.
Risk factors
Risk factors for keloid scars include:
- Having brown or Black skin. Keloid scars are more common in people with brown or Black skin. The reason for this is not known.
- Having a personal or family history of keloid scars. Keloids often run in families. So it's possible that the tendency to develop keloid scars may be inherited. If you've had one keloid, you're at higher risk of getting more.
- Being under 30. You're more likely to develop a keloid scar if you're between the ages of 10 and 30.
Complications
Keloids scars located on a joint might develop firm, tight tissue that can make it hard to move the joint.
Prevention
If you're prone to developing keloid scars, take the following steps to help prevent them.
Protect skin from injury
Try to avoid injuring your skin. Avoid body piercings, tattoos and elective surgeries. Even minor injuries can cause a keloid to form. Examples include ingrown hairs, cuts and scratches.
If you decide to have surgery, be sure that your surgeon knows about your tendency to develop keloids. There are surgical techniques that lower the risk of developing keloids at the surgical site. After surgery, ask your surgeon how to care for the wound. Follow those directions carefully.
Practice good wound care
If you have an injury to your skin, keep the wound clean and moist. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water. Put a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor, others) or another ointment on the wound. Apply the ointment again throughout the day as needed.
Your healthcare professional may suggest that you put a pressure pad or a silicone gel pad on the wound while it's healing. You may need to wear the pad for several months or more.
Putting pressure earrings on the earlobes after an ear piercing helps prevent keloid scars.