Keloid is the abnormal excessive growth of scar tissues that is normally found in a healed skin injury. This  normally appears in the age of 10 to 30. In addition, it is commonly seen in Asians, African Americans and Hispanics.
Likewise, there is an increased risk of developing keloid if you have a relative who have keloid because this often runs in families.
Keloid may not be life threatening but it can still be unsightly as they normally appears in the neck, shoulders and head. Presence of keloid can also be unpleasant especially if it has discoloration. Avoiding sun exposure will likely avoid skin discoloration and darkening of keloid.
Though it is not serious in nature, you have to visit your health care provider to determine if what you have is keloid. Your physician may perform skin biopsy to rule out other skin growths. Your physician may also recommend the safest keloid treatment.
What are the Symptoms of Keloid?
Symptoms of Keloid may include the following:
- A skin lesion that is reddish or pinkish in color
- Normally found in injury or wound
- Keloid usually extends beyond the place of injury.
- The scar is ridged and lumpy
- Itchy while the keloid is forming
What are the Causes of Keloid?
Body’s tissue can naturally heal when the skin is damaged. Part of the skin healing process is to produce collagen. Collagen goes to the damage area and heals the wounds thus healing the wound and lessening the scars. However, for some unclear reason, scars do not just stop growing, they just continue to grow beyond the wound area itself thus developing keloid.
The exact reason why scars grow beyond the skin injury is unclear. However, studies show some factors that are associated with keloid. Some of these are:
- Acne
- Skin burns
- Piercing of the ears
- Chickenpox
- Scratches
- Wounds
- Cuts
- Vaccination shots
What is the risk factor affecting Keloid?
Though unclear, some risk factors may increase the growth of keloid. Some of the risk factors may include:
- People who have darker skin color will likely to have keloid than those who have white complexion.
- Keloid may both appear in men and women but it is generally seen between those in ages of 10 to 30 years of age.
- Those who have family relatives who also have keloids
- People who have minor burns and acne scars, which were infected, will likely to develop keloid later on.
- People who have their ears pierced
- Patients who undergo open-heart surgery may likely develop keloid in the breastbone.
- If you have previous formed keloid before, you will likely have to develop another again.
Avoid the risk of developing keloid is possible, a person should always take care of himself or herself and avoid having minor injuries that may result to wound or skin breaks.
What are the Keloid Treatments?
Keloid that is relatively big can be unsightly and may affect self-esteem, thus majority of those who have it looks for treatment. Part of keloid treatment is to get it removed. Some options to remove it may include:
1. Injections
Injections are given once a month until the keloid had flattened and less visible. The result of these may be better than other options, however, it may leave a scar that may have a different shade of skin than the surrounding skin.
2. Laser
Laser treatment is effective way of removing the keloids. The process is also less painful though it requires many sessions of laser before the desired outcome is achieved. For those who have enough money, chooses this option for its safety but this process is somewhat costly since it is not normally covered by any insurance.
3. Silicone sheets
Silicon sheets are put over the keloid for a couple of hours up to several weeks until the appearance of keloid is less visible. This option is only recommended depending on the location of the keloid. If the keloid is located in the less visible area, this can be ideally used.
4. Cryotherapy
This is the process of freezing keloids with the use of liquid nitrogen. This can effectively flatten the keloid, however, a skin discoloration may occur in the site of the keloid.
5. Surgery
Surgery is another option to keloid, however, there are some risks involved. Cutting the keloid through surgery may cause another bigger keloid to develop in the area. Ask your doctor if surgery is safe to your condition.
There are several ways for keloid treatment. Ask your health care provider for  the best and safest way of treatment for your keloid.