What should you know about new keloid treatment?

A keloid is raised scar tissue that extends beyond the original injury. It may follow acne, piercing, surgery, or a minor cut, and can feel firm, itchy, tender, or tight. It is different from a skin lump with another cause, so a new or changing growth should be examined rather than assumed to be a keloid. Treatment may target thickness, colour, itch, discomfort, or movement restriction.

A dermatologist may discuss steroid injection into the skin, pressure or silicone care, laser approaches, freezing treatment, or surgery. Fractional laser treatment and pulsed dye laser treatment address different scar features. Surgical excision or keloid removal surgery can be considered in selected cases, usually with a plan to reduce regrowth. Do not cut, burn, pierce, or inject the scar yourself, and protect healing skin from friction and sun.

Arrange assessment for a scar that is enlarging, newly painful, persistently itchy, bleeding, ulcerated, or limiting movement. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, drainage, or fever, which may indicate infection. A rapidly changing lump deserves review even if it lies within an old scar.

Ask whether the growth is consistent with a keloid, which feature the proposed treatment targets, and how recurrence will be monitored. Discuss the number and spacing of visits, skin colour changes, wound care, and what to do if the scar becomes active again.