What should you know about itchy keloid?

Keloids extend beyond the original injury and may develop after acne, piercing, surgery, or a minor cut. Itching can occur as the scar thickens, stretches the surrounding skin, or becomes irritated by clothing and rubbing. A new change in colour, firmness, size, pain, or discharge deserves an examination because not every raised skin lump is a keloid.

A clinician can assess the scar by examining its edges, surface, location, and history. Mention whether it is growing, whether the itch is constant, and whether a wound or piercing preceded it.

Avoid scratching, squeezing, or repeatedly rubbing the area. Keep the skin moisturised, choose soft clothing, and protect a healing wound from unnecessary friction. Do not apply steroid creams, acids, or home freezing products to a raised scar without medical guidance.

Treatment depends on the scar's size, site, symptoms, and previous response. Options may include Steroid Injection Into The Skin, Fractional Laser Treatment, Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment, Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal), or Keloid Removal Surgery. Surgery can be followed by additional care because keloids may return.

Arrange a dermatology review if itching persists, the scar is enlarging, or it interferes with sleep, movement, or clothing. Seek prompt care for increasing warmth, spreading redness, pus, bleeding, marked pain, or fever, which may indicate infection or another problem.

Ask whether the raised area fits a keloid, what may be driving the itch, which treatment matches its location, and how recurrence will be monitored.