What are Keloids?
Keloids are a type of scar that appears when the production of collagen and proteins that support skin structure tends to be excessive during the wound healing process. As a result, keloids can often appear larger and more prominent than the original scar. Keloids can appear after various types of wounds, such as surgical scars, burns, or acne scars. which generally arises as an excessive response from the body during the wound healing process. Even though these scars are not malignant, keloids can certainly cause physical discomfort and self-doubt which can have quite an impact on daily life.
What are the causes of keloids?
- Genetic Factors: Genetic predisposition may increase a person's risk of developing keloids.
- Darker skin pigment: Some ethnic groups, especially people with darker pigmented skin, tend to be more prone to keloid formation.
- Type of wound: Deeper wounds or wounds that occur repeatedly can increase the risk of keloids.
- Surgery has occurred: Patients who have undergone surgery may experience keloids appearing in the surgical area.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during pregnancy, can also trigger keloid formation.
Come on, know the symptoms of keloids!
- Skin thickening: Scar areas that will become keloids tend to feel thicker than the surrounding skin.
- Different colors: Keloids can be a different color than the surrounding skin, which can be darker or lighter in color.
- Itching or pain: Some people who have keloids may experience an itching or painful sensation in this area of the skin.
- Continued growth: Keloids can continue to grow over time, sometimes reaching significant sizes.
How to Treat Keloids?
The presence of keloids is certainly not a big problem for health, but their presence can cause feelings of self-doubt and discomfort if seen. To treat keloids, what treatments can be done? Here's the information.
- Steroid therapy: By having steroid injections, this can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the keloid area.
- Laser therapy: Proper use of laser can help reduce the color of keloids and improve skin texture so that keloid scars can fade.
- Surgery: Surgical removal of keloids can be an option, but the risk of keloids appearing again needs to be considered by first consulting with the treating doctor.
- Topical creams or gels: Using special creams or gels that contain ingredients such as silicone or vitamin E can help reduce the size of keloids. First identify and understand the ingredients contained in the cream or gel before applying it to the keloid area.
- Radiation Therapy: Giving radiation after surgery can help prevent keloids from returning. This should also be consulted first with a doctor so that you can know and understand the appropriate stages and administration of radiation therapy.
Keloid Prevention
For some people, keloids may be an unwanted skin problem. Therefore, there are several ways to ensure that when there is an open wound, the scar does not turn into a keloid.
- Protecting wounds from direct sunlight can help prevent keloid formation.
- Keep the skin moist by using moisturizer to prevent keloids from forming in the scar area.
- Avoiding procedures that can cause trauma to the skin, such as excessive wound cleaning, can help prevent keloids.
Keloids can be a disturbing problem both physically and emotionally. Understanding the ins and outs of keloids and proper prevention and treatment is very important. Consult a medical professional for treatment appropriate to your skin condition and individual needs. Additionally, implementing preventive measures early can help reduce the risk of keloid formation in the future.
Article written by dr. Dariatno, Sp.B (General Surgery Specialist at EMC Cibitung Hospital).