What should you know about a keloid after a burn?

A keloid is firm, raised scar tissue that may continue enlarging beyond the burned area. It can feel itchy, tender, tight, or sensitive, and its colour may differ from nearby skin. A hypertrophic burn scar stays within the original wound boundary, so a clinician may need to examine the edge and its growth pattern.

A new or changing skin lump should not be diagnosed from a photograph alone. Healing burns can be red, thick, or uneven before they mature, while infection can cause increasing pain, warmth, drainage, or spreading redness.

Once the burn has fully closed, follow advice about moisturising, sun protection, gentle movement, and pressure or silicone-based scar care. Do not cut, scratch, or attempt to freeze the scar at home. A dermatologist may discuss steroid injection into the skin, pulsed dye laser treatment, fractional laser treatment, cryotherapy, or keloid removal surgery. Treatment is often planned to reduce symptoms and limit regrowth, and more than one approach may be combined.

Arrange a dermatology review if the scar grows beyond the burn, becomes painful or persistently itchy, restricts movement, or affects sleep or daily activities. Seek prompt care for an open area, pus, fever, rapidly spreading redness, or sudden marked swelling. A burn that is not healing or is worsening needs assessment independently of whether a keloid is present.

Ask whether the scar is a keloid or another burn-scar type, which treatment fits its size and location, how recurrence will be reduced, and how to protect movement across a joint.