Keloids, What in the World Are They?

Have you ever had a scar that was not only painful but the scar seems to become larger. If that sounds familiar you may not have just an ordinary scar it may be a condition called a keloid.

You may ask what exactly is a keloid. I can remember hearing that word mention in magazines and by doctors when they are talking about problem people of color have with their skin but I wanted to find a definition to pass on to you. Let my tell you the definitions that I found during my research can range from short to every long.

The one of the best definitions I found was on the article on the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research website, "keloids are thick, disfiguring scars that usually result from trauma to the skin induced by injuries such as burns or piercing, acne or surgery. They grow outward from the skin and extend beyond the original boundaries of the wound&. They are usually reddish or purplish in color and they are more likely to recur after treatment for removal or reduction." www.nidcr.nih.gov/Slavkin/slav0300.htm

Once you have determined that you have a keloid the next question you may ask is the same one that my friend asked when she found out that that she had one,how in the world to you get rid of them?

Well first of all they are not life threatening so you dont have to worry about dying from them. But there are certain things that you can do to help prevent yourself from getting them. According to the article in blackwomenshealth.com doctors have, therefore, developed several ways to treat keloids:

1. Injection of the keloid with steroid solutions-. Steroids have the effect of causing tissues to become atrophic (thin). This is a known side effect of steroids that we are using to our advantage when we inject the keloids with the steroid solution.

2. Surgery of the keloid with use of steroid injections-. In this case, we still inject the keloid for several weeks prior to the surgery. Then, we surgically remove the keloid material and the wound is carefully sutured. Steroids are again injected and continued for several weeks thereafter.

3. Surgery of the keloid followed by radiation therapy-. In this case, patients receive superficial radiation to the affected area. This may be a good option in some cases.

4. Lately, there has been the development of pressure to treat keloids-. Scientists have developed a type of sheeting called silastic gel, which is applied, to the keeled and kept, in place with tape. The silastic gel is applied at night for several months and it flattens the keloid.

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