#11 Do You Have Keloids? | Dr. Shabari Arumugam

Have you ever had a scar disproportionate to the size of the wound?
Do you know what KELOID is all about?
Do you know how to avoid keloids in a patient with keloidal tendency?

Keloids

Hey, Welcome back! The Quarantine content of this week is "KELOID"

What is Keloid?

• Keloid is the raised excessive scar
• Commonly seen in ear lobes, chin, neck, shoulders, upper trunk and lower leg
• It grows beyond the margins of the wound. It stops growing after a certain period
• Initially asymptomatic, may cause pain and itch in some individuals
• If you have KELOIDAL tendency, make sure your Dermatologist / Surgeon knows it

What are the treatment measures available for keloid?

No single treatment is best for all keloid. And it has to be tailored for the patient.

1. Cryotherapy
2. Intralesional injections (Injection of drugs into the scar), mainly steroids.
3. Custom devices causing mechanical pressure 
4. Photodynamic therapy
5. Lasers
6. And many more!

How to prevent keloid in a person with keloidal tendency?

1. Keloids are first noted DURING EAR PIERCING. However, it may be concealed if the earrings are worn immediately due to pressure effect.
2. Avoid TATTOOING, body piercing, cosmetic surgery (if you have the tendency to develop a keloid). 
3. Try a test spot 
4. If you have the tendency to develop a keloid, make sure your SURGEON, DERMATOLOGIST knows it.
5. Proper wound care if you develop even minor wounds.
6. Tension on the scar and foreign material are aggravating factors in keloid. 

What to do if a person with keloidal tendency develops wound and how to avoid from developing into a full-blown keloid?

1. Use saline/soap and water to clean the wound
2. AVOID alcohol-based rub / Hydrogen peroxide / iodine (povidone iodine)
3.  Keep the wound moist (since dryness causes more scarring)
4. Avoid scrubbing
5. Avoid sun exposure. Use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
6. Use Silicone Gel/Sheet
7. Seek a Dermatologist's  Advice

FAQ's on KELOID:

QUESTION: Is Keloid contagious?

ANSWER:     No

QUESTION: Are Keloids Life-threatening?

ANSWER: No. But secondary infections may occur!

QUESTION: Are Keloids Carcinogenic?

ANSWER: Keloid  won’t progress to cancer

QUESTION: Who gets keloid scar?

ANSWER: 

• Individuals of age group 10 - 30
• More common in females
• Pregnant women
• Asian/ African

QUESTION: Are keloids permanent?

ANSWER: Yes, if not treated adequately. 

QUESTION: Can you permanently remove a scar?

ANSWER: 100% removal of the scar is not possible. However, it may be reduced to a cosmetically acceptable level

QUESTION: Does toothpaste help keloids?

ANSWER: No. And who the hell gets these ideas!

QUESTION: Do the keloid treatment works?

ANSWER: Yes, they do, by reducing the size. But not completely. The final result depends on the race, skin type, location

QUESTION: Is it necessary for a keloid to get it treated?

ANSWER: Definitely

QUESTION: Doc, I have a tendency to develop keloids. Are my children's prone to keloid?

 ANSWER: Maybe.  5-10% of patients have a positive family history

If you have further queries, please leave it in the comments.

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