Skin Disorder : Keloid
- A Keloid is a type of scar with mainly type I and some type III collagen which results in an overgrowth of tissue at the site of a healed skin injury.
- Keloids are firm, rubbery lesions or shiny, fibrous nodules, and can vary from pink to flesh-colored or red to dark brown in color.
- A keloid scar is benign, non-contagious, and usually accompanied by severe itchiness, sharp pains, and changes in texture. In severe cases, it can affect movement of skin.
- Keloids expand in claw-like growths over normal skin. They have the capability to hurt with a needle-like pain or to itch without warning, although the degree of sensation varies from patient to patient.
- If the keloid becomes infected, it may ulcerate. The probability that the after surgery, scar will also become a keloid is high, usually greater than 50%.
Locations of Keloids :
- Keloids can develop in any place that an abrasion has occurred. They can be the result of pimples, insect bites, scratching, burns, or other skin trauma.
- Keloid scars can develop after surgery. They are more common in some sites such as central chest, the back and shoulders and the ear lobes.
Treatments of Keloids :
No treatment for keloids is considered to be 100% effective. Some of the treatments that are currently available are described below.
1. Mederma — ( Contains allium cepa ) These gels contain allium cepa extract, heparin and allantoin. Developed for the treatment of post-thyroidectomy scars, these gels are now indicated for the treatment of all post traumatic (burns, acne, piercings) or post surgery scars and keloids.
2. Natural treatments — Some scar treatments contain mucin from the snail helix aspersa müller. The secretion from the snail regulates the skin healing and scar formation process.
3. Surgery — Surgery requires great Laser during and after the operation. Keloids that return after being excised may be larger than the original. There is a 50% chance of recurrence after surgical removal.
4. Dressings — Moistened wound coverings made of silicone gel (such as Dermatix) or silastic have been shown in studies to reduce keloid prominence over time.
5. Steroid injections — Steroid injections are best used as the scar begins to thicken or if the person is a known keloid former. A series of injections with triamcinolone acetonide or another corticosteroid may reduce keloid size and irritation.
6. Compression — Compression bandages applied to the site over several months, sometimes for as long as six to twelve months, may lead to a reduction in the size of the keloid. This is the best treatment for preventing new scars.
7. Cryosurgery — Cryosurgery is an excellent treatment for keloids which are small and occur on lightly pigmented skin. It is often combined with monthly cortisone injections. The use of cryotherapy is limited since it causes skin blanching.
8. Radiation therapy — Electron beam radiation can be used at levels which do not penetrate the body deeply enough to affect internal organs. Radiation treatments reduce scar formation if they are used soon after a surgery while the surgical wound is healing. This is one of the most effective procedures.
9. Laser therapy — This is an alternative to conventional surgery for keloid removal. Lasers produce a superficial peel but often do not reduce the bulk of the keloid.
10. Newer treatments — Drugs that are used to treat autoimmune diseases or cancer have shown promise. These include alpha-interferon, 5-fluorouracil and bleomycin. However, there is a need for further study and evaluation of this treatment technique.