If you have a scar that is big and lumpy compared to the wound that you had, you might have keloid scarring. Keloids are not uncommon, especially after surgery or piercings on certain areas. Despite being treatable through the right keloid removal technique, they are one of the toughest clinical issues since no one really knows exactly what causes them. Not all people with scars will get keloids, but they are more common in dark-skinned people from African, African Caribbean, and South Indian communities.
What are Keloids?
Keloids occur when there is an overgrowth of collagen on broken skin. When your skin is broken by a cut, acne, piercing, scratch, or burn, your body produces collagen, which is the protein that builds up to repair the wound. A scar fades over time. However, for some people, the body keeps producing collagen even after the wound has closed up. As a result, collagen accumulates on the wound site, causing the scar to keep getting larger than the initial wound.
Keloid scars occur mostly on the upper chest, earlobes, and neck, but they can also form on other areas of the body. They occur mostly on people with darker skin pigmentation and can recur after treatment. They are hard, shiny, raised above the skin, hairless, and red at first, but they can turn pale after a while. Though most are not painful, some can be tender and sore, however, which can limit a person’s functionality.
Are Keloids Dangerous?
Keloid scars are not dangerous, but some can be uncomfortable. They can be painful, and others can cause cosmetic stress, especially when they are located on a conspicuous location on the body. A keloid on the face or earlobe can make one feel embarrassed even when they pose no threat. When it forms on a joint, it might impair joint functions because it can become painful due to joint movement. Additionally, when a keloid scar is exposed to the sun during formation, it darkens; the scar area will be darker than the surrounding skin.
Why Should You Remove Keloids?
Keloids grow slowly over weeks, months, or even years, but they do stop after a while. They are permanent unless they are removed successfully. As mentioned earlier, keloids are not dangerous, but some can cause irritation or make you very conscious about them. If your keloids are painful or impairing with your normal functions, it is advisable to seek professional keloid removal. People with keloids that make them feel self-conscious can also undergo keloid removal for increased self-esteem.
Do you have keloids you want to have removed? If so, schedule your consultation with us at Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio. Learn about your treatment options. Contact us today to book your appointment and get started!
