What causes keloid formation?

Normal healing closes damaged skin, but a keloid continues making dense collagen after the wound has sealed. The raised growth can extend beyond the original injury and may feel firm, itchy, tender or tight. Some people are more prone to this response because of inherited skin-healing tendencies. A small scratch, injection, burn or ear piercing can be enough to trigger it. A keloid is different from a hypertrophic scar, which usually stays within the wound boundary.

Avoid picking, squeezing or repeatedly rubbing a raised scar, and protect healing skin from friction and unnecessary procedures. If a new mark follows acne or an injury, photograph it as it changes and arrange a dermatology assessment. Treatment may involve steroid injection into the skin, laser approaches, freezing treatment or surgery; a clinician may combine methods because removal alone can allow regrowth. Read about Steroid Injection Into The Skin, Fractional Laser Treatment and Keloid Removal Surgery before your appointment.

Arrange an assessment if a scar grows beyond the original wound, becomes painful or itchy, catches on clothing, or affects movement. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever or rapidly worsening pain, since these features can suggest infection rather than scar activity. A rapidly changing or uncertain skin lump also deserves examination; see Skin Lumps for broader symptom context.

Ask whether the growth is a keloid or another scar type, what may have triggered it, whether treatment could reduce symptoms, and how recurrence would be monitored. Discuss your history of raised scars before any planned piercing or skin procedure.