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With summer here, it’s extremely important to take care of your skin. Today’s post is about one skin condition to be aware of.
We often face different medical issues, such as eczema, that we must learn to live with. One problem that we regularly encounter is Keloid. It is essential to identify what they are, the symptoms, and treatment options to make it easier to deal with if it arises. The common cause of Keloids is cuts or wounds on your skin where skin cells grow abnormally, beyond the borders of the scar tissue caused by injury, keloid.
Keloids are tough, irregularly shaped nodules of overgrown collagen that develop in the form of a raised, thickened area on the skin, particularly after a previous injury. It is common in people with darker skin, and is more likely to develop on parts of the body where the skin is thicker such as the ear lobe and upper chest.
A Keloid does not have to be painful but can be itchy and sensitive. The keloid can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size and can be raised, flat, or combined. While some keloids are single, others are more widespread and affect large areas of skin. Keloids can appear anywhere on the body where an injury or surgery has occurred before. They often develop in both sexes during adolescence as well as adulthood. It is more common in young adults as they are more prone to injury.
Three Main Types of Keloid
1. Keloid starts in the ear lobe, which is caused by the growth of excess collagen in areas with folds in the skin that eventually results in an abnormal prominence on the ear lobe. It is usually a result of a small cut or injury to that skin area. A keloid on the ear lobes can result from an infection or inflammation, such as after piercing. It is essential to seek medical attention as a doctor can treat it.
2. Keloid starts in the chest area, which is caused by the growth of excess collagen in the skin and folds around significant muscles. It results in a lumpy or irregularly shaped area that is often flat on top and protrudes from the skin surface, such as under the breasts or nipples.
3. Keloid starts in the legs, which is caused by excessive growth of collagen that develops in areas of folds of the skin. It results in a lumpy or irregularly shaped area that is often flat on top and protrudes from the skin surface, such as under the thighs.
Keloids can arise anywhere and affect an entire skin region, but they may not appear in all areas with an injury or surgery. They are defined as non-cancerous but can be disfiguring and cause a great deal of concern. While many keloids do not require any specific treatment, some may require medical intervention to reduce the size and appearance of the keloid.
Various Treatments for Keloids
Cryotherapy
It involves freezing the keloid with liquid nitrogen, causing it to shrivel up into a small scar. It is usually applied once every two months over nine months. Afterward, the keloid may be red and swollen for a few days. It is often used as a cure for ear keloids and chest keloids.
Surgical Excision
It may also be necessary to remove excess keloids, leading to large scars or disfigurement. A surgical incision is made to remove the bulk of the tissue, which can cause some bleeding under the skin; however, it will eventually heal without stitches and leave behind thin scar tissue. Annual follow-up may be required to monitor for scars or the growth of new keloids.
Radiation
A Doctor may recommend radiation therapy to reduce the size and improve the appearance of a keloid. It is commonly used on smaller keloids that have not yet grown past a certain extent. The use of radiation can result in scarring and permanent hair loss, so it is essential to get treatment as soon as possible.
Causes of Keloids
- Genetic heritage is one of the main reasons for Keloids. Inheritance of the trait is traced to either the mother or father.
- Stimulation from a burn or cut can also cause keloid formation. The body attempts to heal itself by producing collagen, a hardening protein that thickens tissue and scars it together. The spot grew beyond the borders of the original wound resulting in a keloid.
- Excessive middle ear infections or inflammation can result in the growth of keloids on the ear lobe. It is more common in children and teenagers.
- Injury to the breast or nipple area can result in keloid growth in these regions. The nipples are often flat. However, they grow into a lumpy or irregular shape that may range from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size and may be raised or flat.
Should I Be Alarmed by Keloids?
Generally, there is no medical reason to be alarmed if you have keloids. They are not a direct result of cancer, although, in rare circumstances, a keloid can grow more prominent than the original scar and require treatment to reduce its size.
However, it is suggested that you check with your doctor to ensure that your keloids are not affected by the way you live and whether there is any treatment that would help. A microscopic view of keloids shows a large number of small white spots. The close-up shows the aggregated appearance of the closely packed fibroblasts in the center. The bright yellow color is from the cell membrane, making it look larger than it is.
Keloids can occur in many different forms and are sometimes referred to as “prickly cousins” of the molluscum contagiosum. As molluscum contagiosum also causes painful, red bumps, it is natural for people to assume that keloids will soon grow into them. However, molluscum remains a viral infection and cannot develop into cancer.
Conclusion
Keloids can be a hereditary condition. People with keloids may have a family member in the same situation. However, it is essential to note that Keloids are not cancerous, nor do they affect your body’s ability to grow hair, nor do they spread around the body. For more information, click here.
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