Keloid Topics

• physical disfigurement
• papua new guinea
• keloid scar
• razor bumps
• surgery scar
• therapeutic challenge
• barbae
• alibert
• chele
• cornrows
• nuer
• african descent
• nodules
• skin color
• lesion
• collagen
• lesions
• occurrences
• hair removal
• forehead

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Keloid, Keloid

A keloid scar is benign, non-contagious, and usually accompanied by severe itchiness, sharp pains, and changes in texture. In severe cases, it can affect movement of skin.

The only treatment is to remove the scar completely. However, the probability that the resulting surgery scar will also become a keloid is high, usually greater than 50%.

Generally, keloids contain relatively acellular centers and thick, abundant collagen bundles that form nodules in the deep dermal portion of the lesion. Keloids present a therapeutic challenge that must be addressed, as these lesions can cause significant pain, pruritus (itching), and physical disfigurement. They may not improve in appearance over time and can limit mobility if located over a joint.

It is speculated that people who possess any degree of African descent, regardless of skin color, may be especially susceptible to keloid occurrences.

Baron Jean-Louis Alibert (1768-1837) identified the keloid as an entity in 1806. He called them cancroide , later changing the name to cheloide to avoid confusion with cancer. The word is derived from the Greek chele , meaning crab's claw, and the suffix -oid , meaning like. For many years, Alibert's clinic at L'Hpital Saint-Louis was the worlds center for dermatology.

The Nuer and Nuba use lip plugs, keloid tattoos along the forehead, keloid tattoos along the chin and above the lip, and cornrows. As a part of a ritual, the people of Papua, New Guinea cut their skin and insert clay or ash into the wounds so as to develop permanent bumps (known as keloids or weals). This painful ritual honors members of their tribe who are celebrated for their courage and endurance.

Keloids may also develop from pseudofolliculitis barbae, continued shaving when one has razor bumps will cause irritation to the bumps, infection and over time keloids will form. It would thus be wise for a man with razor bumps to stop shaving for a while and have the skin repair itself first before undertaking any form of hair removal. It is also speculated that the tendency to form keloids is hereditary and may be passed down from generation to generation.

Some of the treatments that are currently available are described below. These treatments have varying degrees of effectiveness. All the invasive methods of treatment like surgery carry a serious risk of the keloid recurring and becoming bigger than it previously was.

He has never been treated for this condition. There are other much smaller keloids located at small inlets on the glabrous (hairless) skin.

Source: Wikipedia > Keloid