DEFINITION

Keloids are an extra growth of scar tissue on the part of healed skin injury

SYMPTOMS

A skin injury which is –

* Red colored like flesh or pink in color
* Located at the site of healing wound or injury
* Nodular shaped or ridged
The lesion may cause itching during its growth and formation.

CAUSES

Keloids occur from such skin injuries as surgical cuts, an injury to living cells in form of wounds, vaccination sites, burns, acne, chickenpox and even minor cuts or scratches. Young women and African Americans are mostly affected by this disease. Multiple keloids are called as Keloidosis.

Most Keloids will flatten and become less noticeable as time passes. The scars may become irritating with any kind of rubbing or friction.Keloids which covers large area may affect mobility. They may cause cosmetic changes and may affect natural appearance.

Exposure to sun or UV rays causes the scar to become darken as compared with the other skin area. This tan or dark coloration may be permanent.

TREATMENT

Keloid generally does not require any treatment. Some of the treatments are-
* Freezing the Keloid under pressure
* Steroid Injections
* Laser treatment
* Radiation
* Keloid surgical Treatment.

Discoloration or tan can be cured by usage of sun block creams or by applying bandage or covering the affected area. It takes around 6 months in case of adults and 18 months in case of children or extra surgical treatments or measures.