What is a keloid?

the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology has a great write up about Keloids and Hypertrophic scarring which is more common than keloids. Here is a link:


http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_di...





MedicineNet has a good one too...


http://www.medicinenet.com/keloid/articl...

What is a keloid?
a mass of skin behing the ear, usually
Reply:its a little build up of tissue that occurs around a piercing... i have one around my industurial.. there are ways to get them to go away i hear
Reply:The development of scar tissue through the length of the piercing is normal and must occur in order to successfully heal and maintain a piercing over the long term. This scarring is supposed to take place inside the piercing. When it gets aggressive and begins to form outside the piercing you have a case of either Keloid or Hypertrophic Scarring.





Keloid or Hypertrophic scars usually appear as a red bump or a “pimple” by the entrance to the piercing. Individuals with more melanin in their skin are more susceptible, Blacks, Asians and Aboriginals. Some piercings are also more prone to excessive scarring like cartilage piercings-because they involve multiple layers of tissue that heal at different rates and navel piercings because they are located in a area of the body which is often subjected to irritation. The most common cause of scar tissue formation is irritation of the piercing; pushing, pulling, bumping, tearing, too much movement, playing with your piercing too much, sleeping on your piercing or changing your jewellery too often, prematurely or with unsuitable jewellery.





There are many things you can do to treat your scar tissue. We always like to start with the mildest thing first and work your way up. Please keep in mind that the bump usually forms in a day but takes several weeks to go away so you shouldn’t expect immediate results.





The first and most important thing you must do is to eliminate all sources of irritation. Failure to do so will result in persistent scarring which may lead to permanent scarring. If you think you have scarring on or near your piercing, please go to your piercing studio for guidance.