Keloid Treatment

These are unsightly scars which have the capacity to spread into surrounding normal tissues. Most people are born with tendencies to develop keloids. In these, any small or big wound can become a keloid. The common areas are chest, shoulders, joints, ears or sites of injury or piercing. Keloid treatment is cumbersome and chances of recurrence are high.

• Silicon & Gels/Cream: Silicon gel sheets and silicon based gels along with topical steroid creams helps in softening the keloid. They also help with colour changes are betterment of keloid. These can be used to suppress the recurrence as well. Adhesive tapes are the most useful.
• Injections: Triamcinolone acetonide and 5FU are the commonly used injections into keloid sites to reduce its thickness and limit its spread. They have to be used very carefully as they may have their side effect profiles in the long run. Multiple such injections might be needed depending on the extent of your keloid. These can be painful and thus can be used under topical Emla or Local Anaesthesia with Lignocaine. Please speak to your skin care provider if you are a candidate to take these.
• Lasers: Fractional CO₂ and Pulse dye laser have shown some help. Small localised keloids can be very carefully removed with intralesional CO₂ laser excision. It is a meticulous job and the risk of developing keloid in lasered areas cannot be neglected.