Ear keloids are excessive scar tissue growth after an injury or surgery, often seen after ear piercings or in people prone to keloids. Sun exposure can cause discoloration, but medical treatment is not usually needed. Keloids can be reduced with freezing, radiation, laser, or corticosteroid treatments, but surgical removal is a last resort. People prone to keloids can apply imiquimod cream after an injury to prevent excessive scar tissue growth.
Ear keloids occur due to excessive growth of scar tissue after an ear injury or surgical incision. Tissue growth continues beyond that necessary for normal healing. Keloid appears as a firm, raised red scar and can continue to grow for an extended period of time. It may itch or feel tender during the growing season, although no further medical treatment is usually needed.
Ear keloids are common after ear piercings, around acne pustules or chicken pox, and at the site of minor scrapes, particularly in people prone to keloids. A family history of keloidosis is often present in people with hypertrophic scarring. Older children and adolescents — those between the ages of 10 and 20 — and some minority groups are more susceptible to developing keloids after a skin injury.
Sun exposure is known to cause discoloration of keloids on the ear and other places exposed to direct sunlight. Discoloration can make scar tissue look worse than it would otherwise. Keeping the area covered with a bandage and sunscreen for 18 to 18 months can prevent extreme discoloration from sun exposure. In some cases, the keloid itself will shrink in size after a few years.
Medical attention is not usually needed for keloid treatment, although a doctor may perform a biopsy or other procedure to ensure that the lump is not cancerous or the result of a tumor. In some cases, the keloid can be reduced in size with freezing, radiation, laser, or corticosteroid treatments. Surgical removal is a last resort which may be an option, although there is no guarantee that the keloid will not return. Surgical removal can also cause the keloid on the ear to become larger than it was before the surgery.
People who are prone to keloids may find it helpful to apply imiquimod cream to the skin after an injury to prevent excessive scar tissue growth. Keloid formation is not limited to ear injuries and can form anywhere on the body. People susceptible to keloidosis can experience multiple keloid scars after any type of skin injury or surgery, including minor and major lacerations, burns, vaccinations, and other types of injuries that break the skin. Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and treat keloids. Anyone who suspects keloid growth on the ear or other area of skin should see a doctor to rule out other possible causes.
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