Keloid Surgery
What are keloids?
When the skin is injured, scar tissue forms over the wound as part of the healing process. Keloids are smooth, firm growths that occur due to an excess of scar tissue. Keloids can often grow to be much larger than the original wound and are commonly found on the chest, shoulders, earlobes, and cheeks. However, keloid lesions can appear on any part of the body. While keloids do not pose a health risk, they can be a cosmetic concern.
Symptoms Of Keloid
Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that can be larger than the original wound. They may take weeks or months to fully develop. While keloid scars can be irritating and uncomfortable, they are not typically harmful to health. However, they can cause discomfort when clothing or friction irritates them. In some cases, keloid scarring can restrict movement due to the rigid and tight scar tissue. Keloids are more of an aesthetic concern than a health issue. If they are large or prominently located, such as on the face or earlobes, they may cause self-consciousness and become a source of concern for some individuals.
Causes Of Keloid
Keloid scarring can be caused by various skin traumas and affects approximately 10% of the population. It is equally prevalent in both men and women but tends to be more common in individuals with darker skin. There is a genetic component to keloids, meaning that if one or both of your parents have them, you are more likely to develop them as well. Studies suggest that the AHNAK gene may play a role in determining who is susceptible to keloid scarring. Those with the AHNAK gene are found to be more prone to developing keloids compared to those without it.
