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Medical
Dermatology - Keloid Scars
A keloid, sometimes referred to
as a keloid scar, is a tough
heaped-up scar that rises quite
abruptly above the rest of the
skin. It usually has a smooth
top and a pink or purple color.
Keloids are irregularly shaped
and tend to enlarge
progressively. Unlike scars,
keloids do not subside over
time.
Signs and Symptoms of
Keloids
Keloids are raised and look
shiny and dome-shaped, ranging
in color from pink to red. Some
keloids become quite large and
unsightly. Aside from causing
potential cosmetic problems,
these exuberant scars tend to
be itchy, tender, or even
painful to the touch.
Keloids are equally common in
women and men, although at
least in times past more women
developed them because of a
greater degree of earlobe and
body piercing among women.
Keloids are less common in
children and the elderly.
Although people with darker
skin are more likely to develop
them, keloids can occur in
people of all skin types. In
some cases, the tendency to
form keloids seems to run in
families.
Keloids and Body Piercing
Keloids can develop following
the minor injuries that occur
with body piercing. Since
doctors do not understand the
precise reasons why some people
are more prone to developing
keloids, it is impossible to
predict whether piercing will
lead to keloid formation.
Although there are some
families which seem prone to
forming keloids, for the most
part, it's impossible to tell
who will develop a keloid. One
person might, for instance,
develop a keloid in one earlobe
after piercing and not in the
other. It makes sense, however,
for someone who has formed one
keloid to avoid any elective
surgery or piercing, especially
in body areas prone to
scarring.
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