Keloids, or keloid scars, are skin growths that occur when the body produces too much scar tissue after an injury. Keloids are harmless, but many people think their presence can reduce beauty. In some cases, keloids are difficult to treat, so the best option is to prevent them from developing in the first place. There are several medical treatments that can be done to help reduce or even eliminate keloids.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about cortisone injections
A series of cortisone injections injected into the keloid every four to eight weeks by a doctor can usually reduce the size of the keloid and make it more even with the skin. However, sometimes cortisone injections can cause keloids to darken.
Another type of injection, interferon, is being studied as a keloid treatment. This could be an option for you
Step 2. Consider cryotherapy to treat keloids
Cryotherapy is a very effective keloid treatment, and it can significantly reduce the size of the keloid. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen that is sprayed onto the keloid to freeze the excess cells. This therapy only takes a few minutes and can usually be done in the doctor's office. To get rid of keloids completely, you need several treatments that are done with an interval of several weeks.
Step 3. Ask a dermatologist about laser therapy
Laser therapy for the treatment of keloids is relatively new and research has not gone as far as other treatment options, but this therapy shows promising results for reducing the size and treating keloids. Different types of laser treatment are better suited for different skin types, and for different types of keloids. Discuss with your dermatologist if he thinks laser treatment is right for you.
Step 4. Consider removing the keloid scar surgically
Doctors are actually reluctant to remove keloids surgically, because there is a high chance that additional scar tissue will form in the same place. However, in some cases this may be helpful or necessary.
If you decide to have a keloid surgically removed, be sure to follow the postoperative instructions carefully to prevent new keloids from forming
Step 5. Talk to your doctor about radiation therapy
It may sound extreme, but for more than a century radiation has been used to treat keloids, often in combination with surgery or other treatments. Despite concerns about the increased risk of cancer, recent research shows that radiation remains a safe option if preventive measures (protecting cancer-prone tissue) are taken.
Treatment with radiation is usually considered an outpatient procedure performed at a local hospital under the supervision of an experienced radiologist
Part 2 of 4: Treating Keloids at Home
Step 1. Be careful when trying to treat keloids at home
Safe treatments to reduce the size of keloids include pressure (silicone pads) and administration of drugs. Do not attempt to remove the keloid yourself or physically reduce its size by cutting, sanding, wrapping it with string or rubber bands, or using other methods that can cause trauma to the skin. Not only do you run the risk of additional scar tissue forming at the same location, but also lead to serious infections.
Step 2. Apply vitamin E on the keloid
Vitamin E has been shown to help heal scars, prevent keloids, and can help shrink existing keloids. Apply vitamin E oil or cream on the scar twice a day, morning and night for 2-3 months.
- Vitamin E oil can be purchased at health food stores, and large department stores.
- You can also buy vitamin E capsules, and open them and apply the oil on the wound. One capsule can be used for several treatments.
Step 3. Use a silicone gel sheet to treat existing keloids, and prevent new ones from forming
Silkon gel sheets or “scar sheets” are sticky sheets that can be used repeatedly and applied to the wound site to prevent keloids or to scars or keloids that have formed to reduce their size and appearance. The silicone sheet should be applied to the site of the wound or keloid that has formed at least 10 hours per day for several months.
Silicone gel sheets are sold under the “ScarAway” brand, and can be purchased at most pharmacies and online retail stores
Step 4. Use a topical wound ointment to heal the keloid
There are several new topical treatments for scar healing that can eliminate the appearance of keloids. The active ingredient that is usually contained in this kind of treatment is silicone. Look for a product that says "scar cream" or "scar gel" (scar removal gel) and apply as directed.
Part 3 of 4: Preventing Keloids
Step 1. Understand the importance of prevention
The best way to treat keloids is to prevent them from forming in the first place. People who already have keloids, or are particularly prone to developing them, can take special precautions with cuts to the skin to prevent keloid scars from forming.
Step 2. Treat skin wounds to prevent infection and scarring
Pay special attention to even the smallest cuts on the skin and make sure that each wound is thoroughly cleaned. Apply antibiotic cream and cover the open wound with a bandage, changing it frequently.
- Wear loose clothing on the injured area so it won't cause further irritation.
- The silicone gel sheets mentioned above work well to prevent keloids from forming.
Step 3. Avoid trauma to the skin if you are prone to keloids
Piercings and even tattoos can cause keloids in some people. If you have had keloids in the past, or have a family history of keloids, you may want to avoid piercings or tattoos, or consult a dermatologist before proceeding with the next steps.
Part 4 of 4: Understanding Keloids
Step 1. Learn how keloids form
Keloids are raised scars that can form anywhere on the body, at the site of an injury to the skin. Keloids form when the body produces excess collagen (a type of scar tissue) at the wound site. Skin sores can be large and obvious, such as a surgical cut, burn, or small, such as an insect bite or pimple. Keloids usually begin to form about three months after the initial wound, and can continue to grow for several weeks or even months.
- Ear piercings and tattoos can cause keloids in some people.
- Keloids usually form on the chest, shoulders and upper back.
Step 2. Learn how keloids look
Keloids usually appear bulging and rubbery, with a smooth, shiny surface. The shape of a keloid usually follows the shape of the wound, but over time it can grow beyond the size of the original wound. Keloids can vary in color from silvery to skin-colored to red or dark brown.
- Keloids are usually painless, but can cause itching or a burning sensation in some people.
- While keloids are harmless, it's important to have your doctor examine them to make sure they're not a more serious skin condition.
Step 3. Find out if you are at risk for keloids
Some people are more likely to develop keloids than others, and if you have one keloid scar, it means you have the potential to get more keloids in the future. If you know you are at risk, take special care of the skin injury to prevent keloids from forming.
- Darker skinned people are more likely to develop keloids.
- People under the age of 30 are at high risk, especially teenagers going through puberty.
- Pregnant women are more likely to develop keloids.
- People with a family history of keloids are also at high risk.
Step 4. If you suspect a keloid, ask your doctor to examine it
It is important to have your doctor examine a suspected keloid to make sure it is not something more serious. In some cases, your doctor may be able to visually diagnose a keloid. In other cases, the doctor may need to do a biopsy of the tissue and examine it to make sure it's not cancer.
- The most effective treatment for keloids is under the supervision of a doctor, and early treatment is often the key to success.
- A skin biopsy is a simple procedure. The doctor will take a small sample of skin tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis under a microscope. Often this procedure can be done in the doctor's office at the time of your visit.
