Keloid scar formation: what to know

After an injury, the body builds collagen to close and strengthen the skin. With a keloid, scar tissue continues to build after the wound has healed and crosses the original borders. The result may be a firm, smooth, itchy, tender, or darker raised area that slowly changes over time.

Piercings, operations, burns, acne spots, and minor injuries can all precede a keloid. A raised area can also be another scar type or a skin lump, so appearance alone cannot confirm the cause.

Protect a healing wound from friction, picking, and repeated trauma, and use only products recommended for closed skin. Once a scar is healed, silicone may support comfort and texture. A dermatologist can discuss steroid injection into the skin, laser or freezing treatment, or surgery according to the scar's size, site, symptoms, and previous behaviour.

Because a new injury can trigger further scar formation, tell every clinician about past keloids before an operation, piercing, or cosmetic procedure. A treatment plan may include follow-up after the procedure.

Arrange an assessment if a scar extends beyond the wound, keeps enlarging, becomes painful or itchy, cracks, bleeds, or interferes with movement or clothing. Seek prompt care for rapid swelling, spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever, or an opening wound.

Ask whether the mark is a keloid or another scar, what might have triggered it, which treatments fit its location, and how future injuries can be managed. Bring details of earlier scars and any treatments that caused irritation.