Keloid Scars

Feb 18, 2011

Vivian L.

I reckon this is beauty-related, so here goes...

I have a keloid scar on my shoulder which didn't bother me much, until I realized recently it GREW. It looks very unpleasant and I sometimes find it uncomfortable to wear tops with sleeves because the cloth tend to irritate the scar.

Has anyone here ever had keloids, and how did you get rid of them? So far, the options I'm looking at are steroid injections and silicone gel sheets (Cica Care), but I'd like to hear of anyone's experience.

Thanks so much!

Feb 18, 2011

Yasmin K.

You don't get rid of them unfortunately. I was reading up on it and came across this article.

http://www.medicinenet.com/keloid/page3.htm

Is keloid removal necessary? What are the treatments for keloids?

The methods now available to treat keloids are:

* Cortisone injections (intralesional steroids): These are safe and not very painful. Injections are usually given once per month until the maximum benefit is obtained. Injections are safe (very little steroid gets into the bloodstream) and usually help flatten keloids; however, steroid injections can also make the flattened keloid redder by stimulating the formation of more superficial blood vessels. (These can be treated using a laser; see below.) The keloid may look better after treatment than it looked to start with, but even the best results leave a mark that looks and feels quite different from the surrounding skin.

* Surgery: This is risky, because cutting a keloid can trigger the formation of a similar or even larger keloid. Some surgeons achieve success by injecting steroids or applying pressure dressings to the wound site after cutting away the keloid. Radiation after surgical excision has also been used.


* Laser: The pulsed-dye laser can be effective at flattening keloids and making them look less red. Treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatment sessions may be needed. These may be costly, since such treatments are not generally covered by insurance plans.


* Silicone sheets: This involves wearing a sheet of silicone gel on the affected area for several hours a day for weeks or months, which is hard to sustain. Results are variable. Some doctors claim similar success with compression dressings made from materials other than silicone.


* Cryotherapy: Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them but often darkens the site of treatment.


* Interferon: Interferons are proteins produced by the body's immune systems that help fight off viruses, bacteria, and other challenges. In recent studies, injections of interferon have shown promise in reducing the size of keloids, though it's not yet certain whether that effect will be lasting. Current research is underway using a variant of this method, applying topical imiquimod (Aldara), which stimulates the body to produce interferon.


* Fluorouracil: Injections of this chemotherapy agent, alone or together with steroids, have been used as well for treatment of keloids.


* Radiation: Some doctors have reported safe and effective use of radiation to treat keloids.

Feb 20, 2011

Vivian L.

That's very informative, thanks Yasmin! 

Feb 21, 2011

Savannah S.

Normally, if ur scars keloid, it is ur skin and it will constantly do that, the only thing you can do is go to a plastic surgery center, but that will still leave a scar and you cant garuntee it want keloid either.

Cortisone shots do work wonders, for size, color, and itchyness lol, if it itches.

Feb 21, 2011

Cristina C.

i get keloid scarring everytime i have got a piercing> I rubbed an aspirin on it for about 2 weeks and so far it has done the trick. in most cases though it you skins way of healing, so somtimes the cant be removed

Mar 7, 2011

RChelle M.

I would suggest that you consult with a dermatologist and see what options they present to you.

Mar 9, 2011

Ning C.

I've gotten keloids from everything from mole removal to bad scrapes. Unfortunately, Asian skin is especially prone to keloid scarring. I've tried scar creams like Mederma and they help a little if you have a discolored (reddish or brownish) scar, but don't help much with the height of the scar. For that, you should see a dermatologist. My dermatologist injected mine with cortisone and the keloids flattened and never got puffy again! I think the shots were a couple of hundred bucks, but I thought they were worth it because I was self-conscious of my scars.