How to identify and get rid of keloids caused by piercings

Scars are usually not the first thought (or even the second or third or any number) that comes to mind when people think about getting a piercing.

It is not often talked about, but scarring is possible. When pierced by professionals such as Pierced.co, the risk of scarring can be greatly reduced, but every time there is a physical wound in the skin, there is always the possibility of scarring and scar tissue during healing.

Not all scars are the same, and keloids can be an undesirable result of a piercing. Keloid scars are visible scars that can form during the healing process after a piercing. It is bad news. The good news is that if you suffer from piercing-related keloids, they are treatable.

So if you are looking for ways to get rid of keloids, read on. This guide may help.

What are keloid scars?

Keloid scars look like raised scars on the skin. What makes them unique is that they don't just cover the wound itself, they can spread beyond the initial healing area, covering a much larger area of ​​skin. These types of scars are also generally unsightly and can take on bizarre shapes that make them stand out.

Keloid scars can also vary in color and may separate from the skin. Once you develop this type of scarring, there is a high chance that it can grow over time if left untreated.

How do keloids develop?

Keloid scars may appear towards the end of the healing process after damage to the skin (and underlying tissues). They can also appear randomly, but such keloids are rare. These scars can appear as a result of both minimal and more severe damage.

Some of the common reasons include:

• Piercing
• Burns
• Incisions after surgery
• Chickenpox/shingles
• Acne
• Tattoo removal

The damage is not limited to the causes listed here. Keloids can develop from any number of skin lesions. What happens is that your body gets overwhelmed trying to repair damaged skin. It produces too much collagen, a protein that strengthens the skin, to heal it. This collagen not only heals the wound, but also accumulates, forming a keloid scar.

Where can keloids develop?

While keloids can develop anywhere on the body, they develop earlier in some places than others. These places include:

• chest
• Back
• forearms
• earlobes
• shoulders

Keloids are not always determined by how much you take care of your skin. There are several different factors that affect the likelihood of developing keloid scars.

Symptoms of keloids

There are several distinguishing characteristics common to most keloids, including:

• Both appear and grow slowly over time, with some taking up to 3-12 months to appear and weeks to months to grow larger.
• It usually appears as a raised red, pink, or even purple scar that tends to darken over time to a shade darker than your original skin tone.
• The physical sensations differ in texture from the surrounding skin: some feel loose or soft, while others feel firm or elastic.
• They are often painful or cause pain or itching, and the symptoms usually subside as they get worse.

How to prevent keloids

The first thing you need to understand about preventing keloids is that some conditions are out of your control. Not everyone will suffer from keloids, but your genetics play a role in their development. If you have parents who are prone to developing keloids during healing, you may suffer the same fate.

Your age will also play a role in how likely you are to develop keloids. People between the ages of 10 and 30 are more likely to develop such scars. After age 30, the chance decreases.

So, it's not all good news. However, don't worry, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting keloids. The following steps should help when trying to prevent keloids.

1. Bandage the wound
2. wash it every day
3. Be sure to remove the bandage daily and clean the wound. Apply new dressings after cleaning the wound. Clean bandages are the key to recovery.

Advanced Care

Once the wound has visibly healed, you will need to use a silicone gel dressing or self-drying gel. Keloid scars can develop over several months. You will need to keep applying silicone gel or self-drying silicone gel dressings for several months.

How to treat keloids

Before trying to treat keloid scars at home, it is best to consult a dermatologist. They can help you decide which type of treatment is right for you. The form of treatment depends on the age of the keloids, the location of the scar, and the size and shape of the scar. The following treatments have been used for keloids and keloid scars.

• Cryotherapy (scar freezing)
• Oil treatment (will not eliminate, but will soften the scar)
• Corticosteroids (medicines used along with other treatments)
• medical injections
• Radiation therapy
• Surgical procedures

There is no single treatment that works when it comes to removing keloids. Most treatments will help reduce the appearance of scars. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that the treatment will completely remove keloids. You may need to try a few different methods before you find the one that works best for you.

Risks with keloids

There are several risks associated with keloids. Although they look painful, people with keloids usually do not experience pain. Some people complain of itching or limited mobility, but usually nothing more than discomfort. There is one risk to be wary of, infection.

If you find that the keloid has become very sensitive, it could be an infection. There is usually some inflammation or the skin is warm to the touch. If this happens, it's a good idea to see a doctor. Some keloid infections can develop into pockets of pus. This infection is not treatable with simple antibiotics. To avoid serious health complications, seek medical attention if you think your keloid is infected.

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