What Is Keloid Disease?
Keloid disease is more than just scars. It is a fibrotic and wound healing condition that causes scars to grow beyond the original skin injury, leading to keloid development. Many people living with keloid disease experience itching, pain, tightness or ongoing irritation. These symptoms can affect daily comfort, sleep and self-confidence. You are not alone living with keloid disease because many others share the same challenges. Evidence also suggests that keloid disease may be linked to other conditions such as high blood pressure, fibrosis, atopic dermatitis and cancer risk.
Why Do Keloids Form?
Keloids form when the body’s wound-healing process becomes too active in people who are at higher risk. Instead of stopping after a skin injury heals, certain cells called fibroblasts stay active and keep making scar tissue. Over time, this extra tissue builds up and forms a keloid. Researchers have found that changes in how cells communicate and send signals may keep these cells active, and these changes may become future targets to help prevent or slow keloid growth.
Why Do Some People Get Keloids?
Keloid disease often runs in families and is more common in people with skin of color. Keloids can form after skin injuries such as surgery, acne, piercings, shaving or burns, and are most common on the chest, shoulders, back, jawline, neck and earlobes. Keloid development can vary from person to person, with some people forming keloids after every skin injury and others only occasionally. Right now, there is no way to predict who will develop keloids, but biomarker research may one day lead to blood or tissue tests to help identify risk.
Why Do Keloids Come Back After Treatment?
There are no FDA-approved medicines made just for treating keloids. Because of this, most treatments are the same for everyone and are based on expert opinion rather than the cause of keloids. Some treatments remove the keloid, like surgery or freezing, while others try to slow abnormal cells, such as steroid shots or radiation. These treatments do not change how the body heals, so keloids often come back. Because recurrence is common and unpredictable, watching a keloid instead of treating it is sometimes the safest choice. Researchers are working to find biomarkers that could lead to better, keloid-specific treatments
What This Means for You
Keloids are not your fault—they are part of how your body heals. Understanding keloids gives you the power to take an active role in your care and make informed decisions.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment or guidance specific to your situation.