A Guide To Keloids & How To Treat Them

Falling and getting hurt is one thing, but when you know it will leave a scar, you might start worrying. Tissue oils can work wonders, but for keloids, that, unfortunately, is not the case!

Scars can be cool because they can be a reminder of good memories and fun, but they’re not as celebrated for some people. However, these permanent marks can make us self-conscious and have an impact on our body image.

It’s completely natural for your body to develop scars, but when you see your scar getting worse, you might be concerned. Here’s everything you need to know about keloids.

What Is A Keloid?

When your skin is injured, your body uses scar tissue to repair the wound; this scar tissue is fibrous and gives a scar that is a tough, solid texture. For some people, their bodies don’t know when to stop producing the fibrous tissue, and that results in a keloid.

These growths can grow much larger than the original wound and have a smooth yet tough texture. They may make you conscious of your appearance and affect the way you dress, but they don’t pose any threat to your health.

The formation of a keloid can occur over weeks to months. The scar is discolored and can be slightly darker than your skin or a pinkish-red color. You may experience itchiness, discomfort, or tenderness from friction from your clothing.

Home Treatments

Keloids can make you feel very conscious about your appearance, especially if it's in places where your skin is exposed every day. So you might be looking for ways you can treat it at home or with a medical professional.

Home remedies involve using ingredients like aspirin, honey, onion, and garlic to create a topical paste that can help with keloid growth. Ingredients like honey show anti-inflammatory properties, and onion can slow down fibrous tissue formation.

A popular remedy is a topical aspirin paste that targets pigmentation and size and must be applied daily. All you need to do is create a paste using four aspirin mixed with water to make a paste that you apply to the affected site. You let it sit for over an hour and then rinse it off.

Medical Treatments

Retinoid ointments usually used to treat acne scars and aging is effective in reducing the appearance of keloids. Retinol increases cell turnover, which helps keep the growth and pigmentation issues under control. Silicone gel or sheets work similarly and can be used as a substitute.

Steroidal anti-inflammatory injections can be used as treatment. Research suggests that it can be more helpful on newer keloids or following surgical removal of the scar. It does show some improvement in keloid appearance.

Surgical methods are used when the scar becomes way too large or if the keloid keeps coming back after being treated. Cryotherapy is a process whereby they use liquid nitrogen to freeze the keloid; it can be combined with steroid therapy to help reduce the keloid's recurrence.

You can do small amounts of radiation to reduce the chances of keloid formation. This is especially helpful in plastic surgery operations and dermatology, where procedures are done to improve the appearance.

How To Avoid Keloid Formation

Keloids can be caused by minor injuries like abrasions from falling or acne cars. The best solution, in this case, is avoidance, and there are situations you can avoid to reduce your chances of developing keloids.

Avoiding all types of cosmetic surgeries, additional piercings, and tattoos, and never pick or pop your pimples! The injury inflicted on the skin during these procedures can likely lead to keloid formation.