Keloids Overview
Learn About Keloids
A keloid is a growth of extra scar tissue. It occurs where the skin has healed after an injury.
Keloid scar; Scar - keloid
Keloids can form after skin injuries from:
- Acne
- Burns
- Chickenpox
- Ear or body piercing
- Minor scratches
- Cuts from surgery or trauma
- Vaccination sites
Keloids are most common in people younger than 30. Black people, Asians, and Hispanics are more prone to developing keloids. Keloids often run in families. Sometimes, a person may not recall what injury caused a keloid to form.
A keloid may be:
- Flesh-colored, red, or pink
- Located over the site of a wound or injury
- Lumpy or ridged
- Tender and itchy
- Irritated from friction such as rubbing on clothing
A keloid will tan darker than the skin around it if exposed to the sun during the first year after it forms. The darker color may not go away.
Keloids often do not need treatment. If the keloid bothers you, discuss your concern with a skin specialist (dermatologist). Your dermatologist may recommend these treatments to reduce the size of the keloid:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Freezing (cryotherapy)
- Laser treatments
- Radiation
- Surgical removal
- Silicone gel or patches
These treatments, especially surgery, sometimes cause the keloid scar to become larger.
Rei Ogawa practices in Tokyo, Japan. Ogawa is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Keloids. Their top areas of expertise are Keloids, Folliculitis, Gangrene, Gastrectomy, and Splenectomy.
Henry Ford Health System
David Ozog is a Dermatologist in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Ozog is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Keloids. His top areas of expertise are Keloids, Muir-Torre Syndrome, Basal Cell Skin Cancer, and Epidermal Nevus. Dr. Ozog is currently accepting new patients.
Won Lee practices in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Mr. Lee is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Keloids. His top areas of expertise are Keloids, Milroy Disease, Lymphedema, Glossectomy, and Osteotomy.
Keloids usually are not harmful to your health, but they may affect how you look.
Contact your provider if:
- You develop keloids and want to have them removed or reduced
- You develop new symptoms
When you are in the sun:
- Cover a keloid that is forming with a patch or adhesive bandage.
- Use sunblock.
Continue to follow these steps for at least 6 months after injury or surgery for adults. Children may need up to 18 months of prevention.
Imiquimod cream may help prevent keloids from forming after surgery. The cream may also prevent keloids from returning after they are removed.
Summary: Keloids are common, benign cutaneous overgrowths that manifest clinically as raised, hypertrophic, often hyperpigmented lesions which are formed in response to dermal injury or idiopathic stimuli. Although keloids are a common disease, it's exact incidence and prevalence is not known. Despite the debilitating nature of keloids, current treatment modalities are limited in efficacy; there is no univ...
Summary: Evaluation of the safety and topical efficacy of a scar gel after 90 days of continuous use, comparing it to a benchmark for preventing hypertrophic scars and improving appearance, hydration and pigmentation.
Published Date: October 13, 2024
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Machan S, Molina-Ruiz AM, Requena L. Dermal hypertrophies. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 98.
Patterson JW. Disorders of collagen. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 12.