Keloids - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
By ScanSkinAI Editorial Team✓ Reviewed for medical safetyLast updated June 2026
Raised overgrowths of scar tissue that develop at the site of a skin injury. They extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound and can continue to grow over time. They're more common in people with darker skin.
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Quick Answer
Keloids are firm, raised overgrowths of scar tissue that develop after a skin injury, such as a cut, piercing, or acne breakout. Unlike standard scars, keloids grow beyond the edges of the original wound and can continue to enlarge over months or years. They are more common in people with darker skin tones and those with a family history of heavy scarring. While keloids are completely harmless and not cancerous, they can be itchy, tender, and challenging to treat. A doctor can recommend therapies to flatten them and manage discomfort.
Clinical Context
Keloids result from excessive collagen deposition during wound healing, extending beyond the original wound margins—distinguishing them from hypertrophic scars. They occur in 4.5-16% of the general population, with much higher rates in people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. Common trigger sites include earlobes (piercings), shoulders, and chest. Keloids can develop months to years after injury and rarely regress spontaneously. Treatment is challenging with high recurrence rates.
Symptoms
- Raised, firm scar tissue extending beyond wound
- Pink, red, purple, or darker than surrounding skin
- Rubbery or hard texture
- Itching, sometimes intense
- Tenderness or pain
- Continued growth over months to years
- May restrict movement if over a joint
Severity & Progression
Causes & Risk Factors
- Skin injury (piercings, surgery, cuts, burns, acne)
- Genetic predisposition (familial tendency)
- Abnormal wound healing with excessive collagen production
- Tension on wound during healing
- Can develop after very minor injuries
- Sometimes no identifiable trigger
Treatment & Management
Keloid treatment is challenging with high recurrence rates. Intralesional corticosteroid injections (triamcinolone) are first-line, repeated monthly for several months. Silicone sheets/gels may help smaller keloids and prevent recurrence. Surgical excision alone has 50-80% recurrence; combining with steroid injections or post-operative radiation reduces this. Cryotherapy, laser therapy, and pressure therapy are adjunctive options. 5-fluorouracil injections are used for resistant cases.
- Intralesional corticosteroid injections (first-line)
- Silicone sheets or gel (prevention and small keloids)
- Surgical excision combined with steroid injections
- Cryotherapy (freezing)
- Laser therapy (pulsed dye laser for redness)
- Post-operative radiation for high-risk recurrence
- Pressure therapy (especially for earlobe keloids)
Red Flags & Complications
Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Recurrence after treatment (common)
- Cosmetic disfigurement
- Functional limitation if over joints
- Chronic itching and discomfort
- Psychological impact (self-consciousness, anxiety)
Self-Care Tips
- Apply silicone gel or sheets to healing wounds
- Protect scars from sun exposure
- Avoid unnecessary piercings or procedures if keloid-prone
- Massage maturing scars (may help)
- Seek early treatment for developing keloids
When to See a Doctor
If you develop a raised scar that's growing beyond the wound border, causing discomfort or itching, or if you're keloid-prone and planning surgery or piercings
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a keloid look and feel like?
A keloid typically appears as a raised, firm, and rubbery bump over an old wound. It might look pink, red, purple, or noticeably darker than your normal skin tone. Unlike regular scars that eventually fade and flatten, keloids grow beyond the original injury site and can feel itchy, tender, or even painful when touched.
Why do some people get keloids from simple piercings or scratches?
Keloids form when the body overreacts during the healing process, producing too much collagen. This overproduction causes the scar tissue to pile up. If you have darker skin—particularly of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent—or if keloids run in your family, your genetic makeup makes you significantly more likely to develop them, even after minor injuries.
How is a keloid different from a normal raised scar?
The main difference is how the scar grows. A normal raised scar, called a hypertrophic scar, stays strictly within the boundaries of the original cut or injury and often fades over time. A keloid, however, spills over the edges into healthy skin, continues growing over months or years, and very rarely shrinks away on its own.
Can I get rid of a keloid completely?
Keloids are notoriously difficult to treat and have a high chance of returning. Corticosteroid injections are the most common first step to help flatten the scar and ease itching. Other options include silicone sheets, freezing, laser therapy, or surgery. Surgery is usually combined with treatments like radiation or steroid injections, as removing a keloid alone often causes a larger one to return.
Are there ways to prevent keloids if I am prone to them?
If you are prone to keloids, the best prevention is avoiding unnecessary skin trauma, such as elective cosmetic surgeries, piercings, or tattoos. If you do have a necessary surgery or sustain an injury, tell your doctor about your history. They can use special techniques, pressure garments, or silicone gel sheets immediately after the wound closes to help minimize the risk of a new keloid forming.
Will a keloid ever stop growing or disappear on its own?
Keloids rarely shrink or disappear without medical treatment. They often continue to grow slowly over months or even years before eventually stabilizing. Because they do not go away spontaneously, early intervention by a dermatologist is the best way to stop the growth, reduce symptoms like itching or pain, and minimize the cosmetic impact on your skin.
When should I see a doctor about a raised scar?
You should consult a doctor or dermatologist if a scar continues to grow beyond the original injury, becomes very painful or intensely itchy, or restricts your movement. It is also wise to seek medical advice if the scar affects your self-esteem, or if you notice any sudden changes in its color, shape, or texture, to rule out other skin conditions.
How can ScanSkinAI help me monitor a potential keloid?
ScanSkinAI serves as a helpful screening aid to track changes in your scars over time. By capturing clear images, it allows you to easily observe if a scar is spreading beyond its original borders, changing color, or persistently growing. Please remember that ScanSkinAI cannot diagnose keloids or other conditions; you should always consult a qualified healthcare professional for a medical diagnosis.
Medical References
Information on this page is sourced from and verified against reputable medical resources:
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.