A Simple Guide to Keloid

A Simple Guide to Keloid
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What is a Keloid?
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Keloid is an overgrowth of fibroplastic tissue which occurs in an area of injured skin.

Sometimes it may occur spontaneously.


Who is affected by Keloid?
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Keloid usually occur in black skin people than in white skin.

Keloid is more common in women than in men.

Keloid may occur after skin injury especially burns.


What is the Cause of keloid?
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Keloid are dense fibrous tissue which forms scars as a result:

1.Skin injury -cuts and lacerations, even superficial abrasions

2.Burns - from injury to the skin

3.Chemical damage to the skin - cosmetics, sulphuric acid burns,

4.Infections of the skin -acne, abscess, ulcers

5.Surgery - incision scars after operations

6.Postvaccination scarring such a keloids over BCG vaccination

What are the Symptoms and signs of keloid?
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Symptoms :

1.raised red fleshy looking irregular swelling of the skin at site of injury

2.smooth and shiny surface

3.Usually painless, mainly itchy

4.may grow bigger

5.multiple swellings may also be present.

Signs:

1.swelling is red, fleshy looking with blood vessels present

2.irregular appearance with shiny smooth surface

3.May occur anywhere on the body

4.Swelling quite hard on palpation

How do you make the Diagnosis of keloid?
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1.Characteristic appearance at site of injury or surgery

2.Microscopic examination shows the presence of a fibroplastic cells with blood vessels and nerve endings.


What are the complications of keloid?
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The keloid can be irritated by shaving, clothing or jewellery.

There can be :

1. bleeding

2. infection especially in diabetes

What is the treatment of keloid?
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The only treatment is removal of the keloid.

This can be done by :

1.Injection of corticosteroids into the base of keloids

2.Excision followed by corticosteroid injections.

3.Cryosurgery (freezing with liquid nitrogen)

4.Taping of keloid with pressure adhesive tape to prevent growth and flattening of keloids.

Some keloids may resolve spontaneously.

What is the prognosis of keloid?
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The prognosis is usually excellent.

Recurrence at the same spot is common due to regrowth of the blood vessel supplying the keloid.