Keloid Treatment
There are various professional treatments for keloid scars, and a doctor may recommend one or more of the following options:
· Steroid injections
Also called intralesional injections, this involves a healthcare
professional injecting steroids directly into a scar to reduce its size. This
is the most common medical treatment for keloids. When injected into the keloid, these medicines help to shrink the scar. The injection can be repeated
every month. The first injections tend to relieve symptoms and make the keloid feel softer. A person may have to return for this treatment about four times
before the keloid disappears. It may be worth noting, however, that 50–80% of
keloids grow back after this treatment.
· Steroid creams
Steroid creams or tapes that contain steroids. According to the Primary
Care Dermatology Society, 9–50% of keloids come back after this treatment.
· Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves freezing off a keloid. It typically works better for smaller scars.
· Pressure earring, dressing, or garment
They are often used after keloid surgery to reduce blood flow. This may stop a keloid from returning. Using a pressure earring or garment as directed, however, can be difficult. These devices tend to be uncomfortable. To get results, a patient must wear the device for 12 to 20 hours a day for several months. A pressure earring tends to be the easiest to wear.
Silicone gel sheets
Made from medical-grade silicone, these sheets may help to flatten a keloid. For this reason, silicone gel sheets may be applied to a new keloid or after an injury to prevent a keloid from developing.
· Surgery
Surgery
to remove a keloid is typically a last resort, as it may cause a larger scar to
develop.