What should you know about liquid nitrogen for keloids?

Keloids are raised scars that extend beyond the original wound. A clinician applies liquid nitrogen to selected scar tissue, creating controlled cold injury that can reduce bulk and alter the scar's texture. The area may sting, swell, blister or form a crust before healing. Colour changes can last longer than the tenderness, especially in darker skin tones.

Freezing may be used alone or combined with another scar treatment. It cannot remove the tendency to form keloids, so the scar may grow again. A clinician must distinguish a keloid from a hypertrophic scar, an inflamed cyst or another lump before treatment.

Tell your clinician about previous keloids, allergies, poor wound healing, reduced sensation and any medicines that affect healing. Do not puncture a blister or pull away a crust. Clean the site as instructed, protect it from friction and use only recommended dressings or creams. Once the surface has healed, ask about scar protection from sunlight and whether pressure therapy or silicone care fits your plan.

A scar specialist may recommend staged treatment and follow-up rather than treating a large or sensitive keloid in one visit. Bring details of the original injury, piercing or surgery if you know them.

Call the clinic if swelling rapidly increases, pain becomes severe, the skin opens widely, or the site produces pus or a bad smell. Fever or spreading redness needs prompt assessment. Arrange review if the scar continues enlarging, becomes very itchy, or develops a new ulcer or bleeding area, because not every raised scar is a keloid.

Ask whether the diagnosis is certain, what improvement is realistic, how the scar may change colour, and which combination of treatments could reduce recurrence. Ask how follow-up will identify regrowth early.