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Scars or scar on the skin as a result of injury or after surgery is part of the normal process of wound healing. Over time, these scars will fade until they disappear.
In keloids, these scars cause complaints of itching or pain and interfere with appearance, even to the point of affecting mental and emotional conditions. These things can ultimately reduce the quality of life of the sufferer.
How to Recognize Keloids
A keloid can be recognized as a scar tissue protrusion on a scar that grows excessively, exceeding the size of the previously existing wound. Keloids will grow slowly, ie within 3-12 months, even years.
Keloids initially appear as bumps of scar tissue that are pink, red, or purplish in color. Over time, keloids can turn darker in color.
When touched, the keloid will feel softer and smoother than the surrounding skin. Keloids also feel solid and do not move around, and can cause itching and pain.
ReasonThe appearance of keloids
certain ethnic groups and people whose family members also have keloids
In addition, there are several areas of the body that are more prone to developing keloids, namely the shoulders, upper arms, upper back, middle chest, ears, and back of the neck.
How to treat keloids
Keloids can be treated with a combination of several therapies. The treatment given depends on the location, size, and depth of the keloid, the age of the patient, and the results of previous keloid therapy. The following are several types of therapy to treat keloids:
1. Keloid injection
In this procedure, a corticosteroid medication containing triamcinolone acetonide is injected directly into the keloid tissue, using a very small needle. Keloid injections can be repeated at intervals of 4-6 weeks.
This corticosteroid injection can make the skin thinner and redder. Keloid treatment can be combined with laser therapy to fade the color of the keloid.
2. Cryotherapy
This therapy uses liquid nitrogen that is sprayed onto the keloid for 10-30 seconds, up to three times in a row. This treatment can be repeated every month, until the keloid shrinks.
Cryotherapy can be combined with keloid injections, for better results. However, cryotherapy is only effective in treating small keloids.
3. Lasers
Laser therapy is quite effective at evening out keloids and making them fade. This therapy is safe and not too painful, but requires several sessions of therapy at a relatively high cost. Laser therapy will be more effective when combined with keloid injections.
4. Surgical removal of keloids
Treating keloids with surgery is a risky procedure, because removing keloids can trigger the formation of new keloids that can be even larger.
The operation will usually be combined with keloid injections or applying pressure (compression) to the wound with special tools, for several months after surgery. Surgery is also often combined with radiotherapy to prevent keloids from growing back.
5. Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is done by shooting X-rays into the keloid. This therapy is usually done immediately after surgery, the next day, or one week after surgery.
Radiotherapy is useful for preventing keloids from growing back. However, radiation therapy has a risk, which can trigger the appearance of cancer.
How to prevent keloids
If you have keloids on your face that come from acne, then acne appears again, seek treatment immediately to prevent the formation of keloids. Also avoid shaving the mustache and beard with a razor. Use scissors to shave carefully, so as not to injure the skin or acne.
If you are prone to keloids, you should avoid piercing or getting tattoos on your body and face, and don't forget to tell your doctor about this condition before undergoing surgery. If you have a wound, keep the wound clean during healing, and do not expose the wound to sunlight for at least 3 months. Although harmless, keloids can cause problems and affect the sufferer's quality of life. Therefore, this condition needs to be prevented and treated. If you are prone to or at risk of developing keloids, consult your doctor or surgeon if you have an injury that causes a break in the skin.
Written by:
dr. Sonny Seputra, M.Ked.Klin, Sp.B, FINACS(Surgeon)