Have you ever noticed that some people have small bumps on their ears, especially where they have pierced their ears? Sometimes these can be quite large and shiny. That's what we call a keloid . This is actually a scar that forms on the skin. But it's a little different than a normal scar. Let's talk about this in detail today, because this is a problem that many people have.
What exactly is a Keloid?
Simply put, a keloid is an abnormally thick scar that forms after an injury to your skin, as the wound heals. It is normal for a scar to form when an injury occurs. However, in the case of a keloid, new tissue grows beyond the original wound, meaning around the wound. It looks like an overgrown lump of flesh . These can form anywhere on the ear. They can form on the earlobe, on the cartilage of the ear, or even behind the ear. Ear piercing is often the main cause of this.
Who is more likely to develop keloids?
Keloid can actually develop in anyone. But some people are at a higher risk of developing it. Let's see who they are?
- Your skin color: People of black, Hispanic, or Asian descent are generally more likely to develop keloids.
- If you have pierced ears: As mentioned before, ear piercing is a major cause of keloids.
- If someone in your family has it: If someone in your family, that is, your mother, father, siblings, has had keloids, you are more likely to develop them too. This has a genetic influence .
What effects does a keloid have on the body?
Most of the time, keloids in the ear are not painful . However, they can be itchy or tender to touch. This is especially true when they are still developing. Sometimes, if you accidentally rub them or rub them against a piece of clothing, they can become red, swollen, and uncomfortable .
In addition to this physical discomfort, keloids can also have a psychological impact on some people. They may feel self-conscious about their appearance, feel embarrassed , and sometimes experience emotional stress, anxiety, or depression .
Imagine, Nirosha wanted to get both her earlobes pierced and wear earrings. But a few months after getting her ears pierced, a small ball-like bump appeared on one of her ears. At first it was small, but gradually it grew larger and started to glow red. Now she can't even wear earrings because of that keloid, and it's clearly visible because her hair is cut short. This has caused her a lot of stress.
What are the symptoms of a keloid?
Keloid is a very slow -growing scar. You may not notice it for three months to a year. But it does grow. Another thing is that when you touch a keloid, it feels different from the surrounding skin. Some keloids are soft and squishy . Others are firm and rubbery . They are also shiny, smooth, and darker than the surrounding skin.
- A small keloid may have risen about an inch above the skin.
- However, some massive keloids can be larger than the surface area of the ear.
Here are some other symptoms:
- Itchy
- Tenderness when touched
- Discolored - can be pink, red, purple, or brown.
- The color becomes darker as it grows.
- Often taking a circular shape .
What are the causes of keloid formation in the ear?
As mentioned earlier, the main cause of keloid formation on the ear is an injury or damage to the skin of the ear. Keloids can form due to injuries such as:
- Cuts
- Burns
- Scratches
- Piercings (like ear piercings)
- Tattoos
- Acne
- Chickenpox blisters
- Bug bites
Are keloid contagious?
No, keloid is not contagious. It is not caused by a virus or bacteria. It is simply an abnormal growth of tissue that occurs during the healing of a wound. Therefore, you will not develop a keloid just because you touched someone who has keloid or used something they used.
How to recognize a keloid?
A keloid on the ear is very easy to identify . Your doctor can usually tell if it is a keloid by doing a physical examination of your ear.
However, sometimes, if the doctor has any doubts, he may recommend a skin biopsy . This involves taking a small piece of skin from the keloid and examining it. This can help determine whether it is a keloid, or another skin condition such as Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), or skin cancer. DFSP is also a type of skin cancer.
How do you remove a keloid from your ear?
Treating keloids can be a bit challenging because sometimes they can recur even after treatment. That's why doctors sometimes use more than one treatment method. Let's take a look at what these treatment methods are:
- Corticosteroid injections: These medications work by reducing swelling and tissue damage in the keloid. The doctor injects the medication directly into the keloid with a small needle. These injections are usually given every 4-6 weeks. It may take 4 or more injections to shrink the keloid. However, side effects of these injections include thinning of the skin at the injection site and the appearance of small blood vessels.
- Surgery: The doctor uses a scalpel to cut out the keloid. If the keloid is small, the doctor can remove it in his office under local anesthesia. However, if the keloid is large, you will be referred to a dermatologist and have it removed in an operating room under general anesthesia.
- Cryotherapy: This involves using extreme cold (such as liquid nitrogen) to freeze and destroy the keloids. This treatment may need to be repeated several times.
- Ligature method: In this method, the doctor takes a surgical thread and tightens it around the base of the keloid. This reduces the blood flow to the keloid, and it dies and falls off after a few days. However, this thread has to be replaced every 2-3 weeks.
- Laser treatment: Laser treatment uses a laser beam to remove the keloid. Laser treatment can also reduce the discoloration caused by the keloid.
- Radiation therapy: Usually, after a keloid is surgically removed, a strong beam of radiation is used to stop it from growing back. This also requires several treatments. This treatment can begin immediately after surgery or within a week.
- Pressure earrings / Zimmer splints: These are a special type of earring. They apply pressure to the earlobe, reducing blood flow to the keloid. This helps prevent the keloid from forming or coming back after treatment. However, these earrings are a bit uncomfortable. They need to be worn continuously for about 16 hours a day for 6-12 months to see successful results.
Important: Keloids are difficult to treat and can recur, so your doctor may recommend a combination of two or more treatments.
If you are uncomfortable with a keloid, you can cover it up with hairstyles, wigs, or clothing until you receive treatment or after it is finished.
Can a keloid be removed by squeezing it out?
You may be tempted to pop the keloid. But don't. A keloid is scar tissue, not something that oozes pus like a pimple. If you pop a keloid, you can damage your skin, allow bacteria to enter, and cause an infection .
Do keloid scars go away on their own?
Although keloids are formed naturally, they do not go away on their own . They can grow slowly over years. Even if they eventually stop growing, a keloid will not go away without treatment.
Should I remove my earrings if I have a keloid?
It is normal for your ear piercing to hurt a little at first. An earlobe piercing takes about 6-8 weeks to heal. A cartilage piercing can take about 4-12 months. During this time, you should wear your earrings day and night to prevent infection, until the wound is completely healed.
However, if a keloid starts to form around the piercing site after the wound has healed, see a doctor immediately . They may tell you to remove the earring and insert a pressure earring, or to leave the earring in until your ear is examined.
How to prevent the formation of keloid scars on the ear?
The best way to prevent keloid formation is to avoid injuring your ears.
If you want to get your ears pierced, take care of it until the wound heals. If the skin around the piercing starts to swell, become soft, or become rubbery, seek medical advice immediately.
What happens if I have a keloid on my ear?
Keloid scars can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but they don't affect your overall health . If you have a keloid, you can continue to treat it and keep it under control. However, you may need to have several treatments to prevent it from coming back. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly and see your doctor on scheduled days to monitor your condition.
When should I see a doctor?
If you suddenly notice a new lump or growth on your ear or anywhere else on your skin, see a doctor immediately. Don't delay, especially if it's causing you discomfort.
What questions should I ask the doctor?
- If my family has keloids, can I get my ears pierced?
- Should I remove my earrings if I have a keloid?
- If I have a keloid on my ear, am I more likely to develop keloid on other parts of my body?
- How exactly do you tell if this is a keloid?
- If this isn't a keloid, what other skin condition could I have?
- What kind of treatment do you recommend for me?
- How should I take care of my skin after treatment?
- What are the chances of my keloid coming back?
- Should I see a dermatologist or another specialist?
Summary (Take-Home Message)
A keloid is an unusual type of scar that develops after an injury to the ear, especially after an ear piercing. Not everyone gets them. Although a keloid usually doesn't hurt, it can be itchy and uncomfortable. It can also be emotionally affecting because of the way it looks. If you notice an unexplained bump like this on your skin, see a doctor immediately. There are treatments to remove keloids, but you may need to have several treatments to prevent them from forming again. Don't worry, this condition can be controlled with proper medical advice and treatment.
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