Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue formed after skin punctures, surgical scars, chicken pox, insect bites, or severe acne. They usually develop as a round or oval-shaped bumpy overgrowth anywhere on the body. A keloid on the ear, for example, may appear after ear piercing, on the piercing scar. They develop as the wound is healing, and become prominent and darker in a few months.
What causes keloids on the ear?
A piercing scar is typically what causes a keloid on earlobes. They form either when the skin cells create excess collagen for healing, or as a local inflammatory response to metallic earring backs. They can develop both on the earlobe or the ear cartilage, and may be hereditary for certain individuals.
A keloid shows the following symptoms:
- The growth begins with a pink or red scar overgrowth
- The growth eventually becomes dark in color
- The shape and size typically becomes more prominent after 3-6 months
- The keloid may be painful to touch
Clinical approaches of keloid removal
Here are some clinical approaches to removing keloids on ears permanently.
Corticosteroid injection
A person is given a series of corticosteroid injections once every 3-4 weeks, which softens and shrinks the keloids. Typically, 50-80% of keloids shrink after having the first corticosteroid injection, though some may need a series of injections.
Keloid Surgery
Keloids may also be removed with minor surgery. However, the keloid may return after surgery and grow from the same surgical scar. Therefore, you will also need a complementary keloid subduing treatment, like a cryotherapy or corticosteroid injection, to prevent its return.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy freezes and destroys the mass growths such as keloids. In cryotherapy, extremely cold liquid nitrogen is sprayed over the keloid or lesions to freeze and shrink them.
Cryotherapy is the most advanced non-invasive treatment that helps in keloid management.
Here is how Dr. Shehla Ebrahim treats keloids on the ear
When you visit Dr. Shehla Ebrahim for keloid treatment, she physically analyses and diagnoses the keloid with a dermoscopy (a special instrument to see a magnified view of the skin surface), as keloids vary in shape, size, and texture from patient to patient. Based on her analyses, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim chooses the best treatment route to remove the keloid on your ear.
Dr. Shehla Ebrahim offers world-class cryotherapy and corticosteroid injection treatment, which is highly efficient for keloid removal. Here is what her patient has to say about keloid removal.
If you are looking for permanent keloid removal treatment in Vancouver, please consult with award winning skin care physician, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim.