Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Keloids

Table of Contents

Definition

Keloids are the excess growth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury.


Alternative Names

Hypertrophic scar; Keloid scar; Scar - hypertrophic


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Keloids occur from such skin injuries as:

  • Acne
  • Burns
  • Chickenpox
  • Ear piercing
  • Minor scratches
  • Surgical cuts
  • Traumatic wounds
  • Vaccination sites

They are more common in people ages 10 to 20, and in African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. Keloids often run in families. Keloidosis is a term used when many or repeated keloids occur.



Review Date: 10/05/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)