Keloid

Description

Introduction

A keloid is a growth of extra scar tissue. It occurs where the skin has healed after an injury.

A keloid, or keloid scar, is a kind of overgrown scar, or an overly aggressive healing response to a wound.

It's a type of thick, irregular scar that rises above the skin level and extends beyond the original wound boundaries.

Causes

Keloids can form after skin injuries from:

Acne

Burns

Chickenpox

Ear or body piercing

Minor scratches

Cuts from surgery or trauma

Vaccination sites

Symptoms:

A keloid may be:

Flesh-colour, red, or pink

Located over the site of a wound or injury

Lumpy or ridged

Tender and itchy

Irritated from friction such as rubbing on clothing

A keloid will tan darker than the skin around it if exposed to sun during the first year after it forms. The darker colour may not go away.