Keloid scars can be treated naturally

Keloids—Overview

* The damaged layer of skin is covered by a thin, smooth crust that eventually falls off to reveal the scar, which is a pinkish layer. However, occasionally, for unknown reasons, your skin may overreact to the damage by producing an excessive amount of scar tissue, which is rarely resolved on its own.

* Like normal scars, these overgrowths, known as keloids, are often smooth, firm, and shiny, but they frequently cover a considerably greater area and keep growing for weeks or months after the incident. They are most commonly seen on the chest, but they can also be found on the face and earlobes.

* Although anyone can get keloids, darker-skinned people are more likely to get them.

* Although they can cause pain or itching, keloids typically pose no health risks. They may be a cosmetic concern, though, depending on their location. Thankfully, keloids can be removed with various therapeutic techniques.

Why do keloids occur?

After a skin injury, the body creates too much collagen during the healing process, which leads to an overgrowth of scar tissue and keloids. They are more prevalent in those with a hereditary predisposition and can develop following cuts, burns, acne, piercings, surgery, or even minor skin damage.

The Formation of Keloids

• Normal wound healing: To mend damaged skin, the body creates collagen.
• Overproduction of collagen: Fibroblasts, which are cells that produce collagen, overproduce in keloid-prone people, resulting in thick, elevated scar tissue.
• Growth outside the wound: Keloids, in contrast to ordinary scars, grow outside the initial site of injury and may get bigger over time.

Typical Triggers

• Cuts, scrapes, burns, puncture wounds, and surgical incisions are examples of skin injuries.
• Conditions that cause inflammation include folliculitis, chickenpox, acne, and other skin disorders.
• Body or cosmetic alterations include shaving in beard regions, piercings (particularly earlobes), and tattoos.
• Minor trauma: Keloids can develop in vulnerable people as a result of minor wounds or insect bites.
• Infrequent instances: Although it is rare, spontaneous keloids can develop without any visible damage.

Risk Elements

• Genetics: Family history increases the likelihood of the condition.
• Skin type: More prevalent in darker-skinned individuals.
• Age: Usually manifests in the 10–30 age range.
• Location: Commonly observed on the cheekbones, earlobes, shoulders, and chest.

How can keloids be identified?

A doctor may typically diagnose keloids by performing a basic physical examination of the skin. A skin biopsy may be done to rule out other disorders, like skin cancer, but in most situations, no special testing is required.

How Physicians Identify Keloids

• Clinical examination: Physicians assess the scar's size, growth pattern, and appearance.
• Typically, keloids are firm, glossy, elevated, and expand past the initial lesion.
• They could be darker than the surrounding skin, pink, or red.
• Patient history: The physician might inquire about prior burns, piercings, acne, operations, or trauma in the region.
• The diagnosis may also be supported by a family history of keloids.
• Differentiation from other scars: Keloids expand outside the wound boundary, whereas hypertrophic scars are elevated but remain inside it.
• In diagnostics, this distinction is crucial.
• Skin biopsy (rarely required): A little tissue sample could be collected if the lesion appears strange.
• This aids in ruling out dermatological disorders or skin malignancies that resemble keloids.

Important Things for Patients

• The majority of keloids can be identified visually; no intrusive testing is necessary.
• Location is important: The cheekbones, shoulders, earlobes, and chest are common places for keloids to develop.
• They may keep growing for months or even years following the initial damage, which is a characteristic growth pattern.
• Persistent yet not dangerous: Despite being harmless, they may result in irritation, discomfort, or aesthetic issues.

Patient-Friendly Synopsis

• Consider diagnosis to be a "look and learn" procedure:
• A scar is probably a keloid if it feels solid and elevated, has a shiny appearance, and is expanding past the boundaries of the wound.
• Your skin speaks for itself; thus, lab testing are rarely necessary for doctors.

What is the treatment for keloids?

Although a variety of medicinal, surgical, and supportive techniques are used to treat keloids, no one technique ensures their permanent eradication. The objective is to lessen cosmetic problems, alleviate pain or itching, and flatten, diminish, or soften the scar.

Principal Therapies

• Injections of corticosteroids
• It is administered directly into the keloid to lower collagen synthesis and inflammation.
• Frequently carried out every few weeks.
• Aids in softening and flattening the scar.

Surgical excision

• Although the keloid is removed, recurrence is frequent unless additional treatments are used.
• To stop regrowth, post-surgery procedures such as radiation therapy or steroid injections are frequently employed.

Radiation treatment

• After surgical excision, low-dose radiation therapy can lessen recurrence.
• usually saved for cases that are severe or frequent.

Laser treatment

• The laser treatment decreases the thickness and redness of the keloid's blood vessels.
• Best when used in conjunction with additional therapies.

Freezing therapy, or cryotherapy

• Small keloids can be made smaller by applying liquid nitrogen to them.
• frequently used in conjunction with steroid injections.

Applying pressure

• For months, wear compression bandages or earrings (for ear keloids).
• Decreases collagen accumulation and blood flow.

Topical therapies

• Scars can be softer and less itchy with silicone gel sheets or ointments.
• Silicone gel sheets or ointments can serve as a supportive treatment, especially for newly developed keloids.

New and Alternative Methods

• Injections of interferon are intended to decrease the formation of collagen.
• Injections of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)—occasionally in conjunction with steroids.
• Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is used experimentally to lessen scarring and tension.
• Although there is no proof for natural therapies like onion extract and garlic ointments, some patients combine them with medical treatment.

Also read https://www.staianoplasticsurgery.co.uk/blog/5-ways-to-treat-keloid-scars/.

Important Things to Think About

• Recurrence is frequent: Keloids can recur, sometimes larger, even after effective therapy.
• The most effective treatment is combination therapy: Better outcomes are frequently obtained with surgery plus steroids or cryotherapy with silicone sheets.
• Patient-specific strategy: Treatment selection is influenced by keloid size, location, age, and skin type.
• Relieving symptoms is important: There are good reasons to get therapy, including itching, discomfort, and aesthetic problems.

Patient-Friendly Synopsis

• Keloid treatment can be thought of as "calming an overactive scar":
• Physicians can remove medication surgically, freeze it, laser it, or inject it.
• It stays flat with the use of supportive equipment like pressure dressings or silicone sheeting.
• There is no magic bullet, but the highest possibility of progress comes from integrating different approaches.

Natural methods for flattening keloid scars

Although there isn't a surefire method to naturally flatten keloid scars, there are some at-home treatments that might help them become softer, less itchy, and look better. Although medical therapies are frequently required for noticeable improvement, these supporting techniques are most effective for small or early keloids.

Typical Home & Natural Treatments

• Gel of aloe vera
• Moisturises skin and relieves inflammation.
• When used daily, it may lessen irritation and redness.
• Diluted apple cider vinegar
• It may eventually aid in the shrinkage of scar tissue when applied with a cotton ball.
• To prevent skin irritation, use with caution.
• Garlic paste or extract
• Includes substances that might reduce the activity of fibroblasts, which are cells that make too much collagen.
• To avoid burns, it should be applied briefly and then rinsed off.
• Honey, 
• Naturally occurring moisturiser with a slight anti-inflammatory effect.
• It can often be massaged into the scar.
• Onion extract or lemon juice
• Abundant in antioxidants and has the potential to lighten pigmentation.
• Frequently found in commercially produced scar gels.
• Diluted tea tree oil
• Both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
• May lessen discomfort and itching.
• Paste for baking soda
• Used to soften scar tissue occasionally as a mild exfoliation.

Important Information

• There is little evidence to support the claim that natural therapies can considerably reduce keloids' irritation, redness, and dryness.
• It's important to be consistent: To see any results, daily application over several weeks or months is required.
• Skin sensitivity: Always test on a tiny area of skin first because some cures (including vinegar, garlic, and lemon) can irritate it.
• Medical attention is frequently necessary: Treatments include silicone sheeting, cryotherapy, or steroid injections work better for larger or more painful keloids.

Conclusion

• Consider natural therapies to be "scar softeners" as opposed to "scar erasers."
• Although they can reduce inflammation, add hydration, and enhance texture, keloids frequently require medical assistance to flatten completely.
• Aloe vera, honey, and silicone gel sheets are safe choices that are ideal places to start.
• If your skin reacts badly, stay away from harsh or irritating things.