When is steroid injection into the skin recommended for hypertrophic scar?

A hypertrophic scar stays within the original wound area but becomes thicker than nearby skin. A corticosteroid placed inside the scar can soften and flatten scar tissue and may ease itch or tenderness. The clinician chooses the injection sites and amount based on the scar’s thickness, firmness, age, and position.

Scar treatment is often staged. Silicone care, pressure, resurfacing, or other procedures may be discussed depending on the wound and the movement involved. Steroid injection can improve a scar’s symptoms and texture, but the response differs between people and the scar can remain visible.

Show the dermatologist how the scar has changed and mention itching, pain, tightness, reduced movement, prior treatments, and any history of scars growing beyond a wound. Do not inject an open, infected, or healing wound unless the clinician specifically advises it.

After treatment, follow wound-care instructions and protect the area from friction. Temporary soreness, a lighter skin patch, thinning, or a small depression may occur. Keep follow-up appointments so the scar’s surface and thickness can be checked before further treatment.

Contact the clinic if the injection site becomes hot, increasingly painful, swollen, or draining. Seek review if the scar rapidly changes, opens, bleeds without an obvious injury, or begins limiting movement. A scar that extends beyond its original wound may need assessment for a keloid rather than a hypertrophic scar.

Ask what feature makes the scar suitable for injection, how improvement will be measured, which aftercare is needed, and what alternatives are available if the scar is thin, flat, infected, or close to a joint.