Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids) Quiz
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Rashes
Raised skin over a surgery scar
There is a sore on the side
Itchy
Ear piercing keloid
Wound
There is a sore
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids)?
Excessive scar tissue growth after skin trauma. Keloids are more common on earlobes, chest, and back.
Typical Symptoms of Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids)
- Raised skin over a scar from a previous surgery
- Hard or stiff skin
- Scars or marks from the rash/wound
- Scab
- Itchy skin
- Swelling or raised skin where the ear was pierced
- Skin problems
- Hives or raised rashes
Diagnostic Questions for Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have raised skin over a surgical scar?
- Have you noticed any hard or stiff areas on your skin?
- Do you have scars or marks from previous rashes or wounds?
- Do you have a scab?
- Do you have itchy skin?
Treatment of Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids)
Keloids can be left untreated. If bothersome, steroid injections or procedures may help shrink the scar. Complete removal is challenging, and keloids may return after treatment.
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids)?
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Scars or marks from the rash/wound
- Scars or marks from the rash/wound
- Hard fingertips
- Tightening of the skin of the fingers
- Post-inflammatory scarring
- Scar formation after the rash
- Post-inflammatory scarring
Symptoms Related to Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids)
Diseases Related to Keloids (Including Piercing Keloids)
FAQs
Q.
Is Your Keloid Scar Growing? Why Your Skin Overreacts & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Keloids can keep growing beyond the original wound because your skin is overproducing collagen and the healing stop signal misfires, especially if you have a genetic tendency or the scar sits on high tension areas like the chest, shoulders, jawline, or earlobes. They are usually benign but can itch, hurt, or limit movement, and fast changes, ulceration, or bleeding should be checked promptly. There are several proven treatments and timing matters, from corticosteroid injections and silicone therapy to cryotherapy, lasers, pressure devices, and cautious surgery with follow-up; see below for key details, what to avoid, and how to choose your next steps.
References:
* Huang C, Liu L, Yang Y, et al. Keloids: A Review of the Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Presentations, and Treatment Approaches. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Jun 8;9:906519. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.906519. PMID: 35749286; PMCID: PMC9212879.
* Gauglitz GG. Keloids: Pathogenesis and Management. Dermatol Clin. 2019 Jan;37(1):49-59. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2018.08.006. Epub 2018 Sep 28. PMID: 30282121.
* Vashisth P, Kumar G, Khurana S, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for keloid scars: A systematic review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Dec;22(12):3186-3200. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15934. Epub 2023 Sep 6. PMID: 37675712.
* Wu P, Song W, Ni C, et al. Keloid: molecular mechanisms, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies. Front Oncol. 2021 Jul 2;11:708259. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.708259. PMID: 34293931; PMCID: PMC8283525.
* Huang N, Wang M, Li J, et al. Keloids: Management and Treatment. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023 Sep 15;16:2555-2565. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S427010. PMID: 37731388; PMCID: PMC10507963.
Q.
Is your scar growing? Why your skin forms keloids & medical next steps
A.
A growing, raised scar that extends beyond the original wound is often a keloid, a benign over-healing from excess collagen that can itch or hurt and may keep enlarging; risk is higher with family history, darker skin, and high-tension areas. There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more. Next steps usually start with corticosteroid injections and silicone therapy, sometimes combined with cryotherapy, laser, or surgery plus pressure or radiation to reduce recurrence; see a dermatologist and seek prompt care if the lesion bleeds, changes quickly, or limits movement.
References:
* Ogawa R, Akamatsu H, Aramaki-Hattori N, et al. Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars: Pathophysiology, Classification, and Treatment. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016 Dec 21;4(12):e119. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28299173/
* Bagabaga BA, Al-Shaqsi AM, Al-Kindy AN. Keloids: A Review of Pathogenesis and Management. Oman Med J. 2021 May;36(3):e272. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34141154/
* Limandjaja GC, van den Broek LJ, Gibbs S, et al. Molecular Mechanisms of Keloid Formation: An Update. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 Jan 28;8:1197. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32047702/
* Andrews JP, Ahn RS, Tilley A, et al. Current advances in understanding the pathogenesis of keloid. J Invest Dermatol. 2022 Feb;142(2):331-337.e1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34320297/
* Branford O, Williams R, Tziotzios G, et al. Update on the pathogenesis and treatment of keloids. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 Dec 1;150(6):1055e-1065e. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36423405/
Q.
Scars Won’t Fade? Why Microneedling Works + Medically Approved Steps
A.
Microneedling can meaningfully improve many scars by stimulating collagen remodeling, especially for atrophic acne and some surgical or traumatic scars, but results are gradual over 3 to 6 sessions and it rarely erases scars completely. There are several factors to consider: the safest, most effective outcomes come with a proper diagnosis, daily sun protection, a qualified provider, adjunct topicals, and careful aftercare, while people with active acne or a keloid tendency may need alternatives like lasers, subcision, or steroid injections; see complete steps and key cautions below.
References:
* Singh A, Yadav S. Microneedling for Acne Scars: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Associated Mechanisms. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020 Jul;13(7):30-37. PMID: 32669460.
* Chandrashekar BS, Senger P, Rajan M, Sharath Kumar BC, Subhashini. Microneedling: An update on its efficacy, safety, and protocols for various dermatological indications. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2020 Jul-Sep;13(3):235-247. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_133_20. Epub 2020 Sep 4. PMID: 32906132.
* Minar S, Albarrak S, Alamri R, Alghazali A, Aljaber T, Alabdali A, Almutawa H, Alsaif A. Skin collagen induction in a photoprotected area after microneedling: a controlled pilot study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 May;20(5):1455-1460. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13788. Epub 2021 Jan 25. PMID: 33496667.
* Aust MC, Fernandes D, Kolokythas P, Kaplan H, Vogt PM. Safety of microneedling in patients with various skin conditions: a systematic review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020 Dec;146(6):797e-804e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007421. PMID: 33507119.
* Iriarte-Pena V, Moreno-Jiménez BC, Martínez-González J, Martínez-González J. Microneedling in the treatment of atrophic acne scars: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Nov;21(11):5419-5431. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15242. Epub 2022 Aug 25. PMID: 36009802.
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Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Limandjaja, G. C., Niessen, F. B., Scheper, R. J., & others. (2020). The keloid disorder: heterogeneity, histopathology, mechanisms and models. Frontiers in cell and …, 2020.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2020.00360/fullWang, Z. C., Zhao, W. Y., Cao, Y., Liu, Y. Q., Sun, Q., & others. (2020). The roles of inflammation in keloid and hypertrophic scars. Frontiers in …, 2020.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.603187/fullGrabowski, G., Pacana, M. J., & Chen, E. (2020). Keloid and hypertrophic scar formation, prevention, and management: standard review of abnormal scarring in orthopaedic surgery. JAAOS-Journal of the …, 2020.
https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/fulltext/2020/05150/Keloid_and_Hypertrophic_Scar_Formation,.3.aspx