What is Keloid Scar?
Keloid scar is a condition that occurs on the skin as a result of an abnormal response in wound healing, which can negatively affect people functionally and cosmetically, and is characterized by the development of a slightly raised, pinkish scar on the skin.
What Causes Keloid Scars?
The exact cause is unknown. It is more common in black people and in people whose first-degree relatives have keloid scars. It is especially seen on the shoulders, back and upper body, neck and earlobes. All factors that delay and impair wound healing can cause significant scar tissue development. Infection, repetitive trauma, dry wound environment delay wound healing and are thought to increase the risk of keloid scar formation.
How Is Keloid Scar Treated?
The methods to be applied in the treatment; creams used locally, injection of drugs into keloid, cryotherapy (cold therapy) and surgical treatment.
Locally used creams; These include cortisone creams, moisturizers, creams containing onion extract, drugs such as imiquimod and vitamin E. Silicone-based ready-to-use dressing materials that adhere to the skin both create an ideal environment that provides continuous moisture to the wound and protects it from infections.
Intralesional drug injection; In this application, in which different drugs are injected into the scar tissue every few weeks, it is aimed to flatten the tissue.
Cryotherapy (cold therapy); This process, which is based on freezing the tissue with liquid nitrogen, can be applied alone or in combination with intralesional drug injection.
Surgical; Direct removal of scar tissue without revision and/or combination with other methods is not appropriate. Because surgical intervention, especially in keloids, may result in further growth of the initial scar tissue.
