KELOID SCAR is an overgrowth
of connective tissue where
the integrity of the skin has been
compromised. In addition to the fact that
neoplasms have an ugly
appearance, they can
restrict mobility, especially
if they
are located in the area
of joints or facial
muscles on the face.
Keloid scars are equally
susceptible to both
men and
women. They are most often observed
in patients whose age
ranges from 10
to 40
years. They appear
less frequently in toddlers and
the elderly.
Keloid scar is one of the types of pathological scars, belongs to the group of pseudotumor fibromatoses. Of all the types of scars, keloid is the second most common (after hypertrophic scar) among Europeans and the first among the population of South African countries. There are no exact statistics. This is due to the low number of patient visits to the doctor in the absence of progressive overgrowth and a pronounced clinical picture.
It is believed that violations of the mechanism of formation of connective tissue contribute to the formation of keloid scars. The situation becomes more complicated if the wound becomes infected during wound healing. This can lead to an increase in the size of the scar compared to the wound itself. Visually, keloids stand out sharply against the background of the skin, usually have a bluish or dark red color, clear borders that capture healthy tissue, extending far from the wound. They are finally formed after going through several stages that last for several months. The size and formation of the edges of the scar is directly affected by the formation of fibroblast cells, whose function is to replace old tissue with new. Since fibroblasts are responsible for the production of collagen and elastin, at normal rates, skin healing occurs without negative consequences, and an imbalance can lead to an overgrowth of collagen fibers and the formation of a keloid scar. The keloid is finally formed about two years after its appearance. The appearance of ulcers on the keloid tissue is not noted.
In clinical dermatology, keloids are divided into:
Keloid scar is one of the types of pathological scars, belongs to the group of pseudotumor fibromatoses. Of all the types of scars, keloid is the second most common (after hypertrophic scar) among Europeans and the first among the population of South African countries. There are no exact statistics. This is due to the low number of patient visits to the doctor in the absence of progressive overgrowth and a pronounced clinical picture.
It is believed that violations of the mechanism of formation of connective tissue contribute to the formation of keloid scars. The situation becomes more complicated if the wound becomes infected during wound healing. This can lead to an increase in the size of the scar compared to the wound itself. Visually, keloids stand out sharply against the background of the skin, usually have a bluish or dark red color, clear borders that capture healthy tissue, extending far from the wound. They are finally formed after going through several stages that last for several months. The size and formation of the edges of the scar is directly affected by the formation of fibroblast cells, whose function is to replace old tissue with new. Since fibroblasts are responsible for the production of collagen and elastin, at normal rates, skin healing occurs without negative consequences, and an imbalance can lead to an overgrowth of collagen fibers and the formation of a keloid scar. The keloid is finally formed about two years after its appearance. The appearance of ulcers on the keloid tissue is not noted.
In clinical dermatology, keloids are divided into:
- True (spontaneous) ones. They form for no apparent reason, however, it is believed that they may be preceded by microtrauma, resolved pustular rashes. The favorite location is the face and chest. True keloids often have a bizarre shape with branching processes extending from the main scar.
- False (cicatricial). They occur on the site of damaged skin after operations, cuts, burns, boils, acne. They do not have a specific localization. The shape of the false scars is linear, and the skin above them is prone to ulceration.
- Keloid folliculitis (keloid acne). It occurs in men. It is a follicular dermatitis of the scalp. Rashes (papules and pustules) are usually located in the occiput.
Hypertrophic scars are similar in color and texture to ordinary scars, but they are present for a longer period of time, they are larger and raised, their surface is smooth, domed and shiny with prominent vessels. Unlike keloids, hypertrophic scars are limited to the injury site.