I have keloid scar, and i don't know what type of physician i should see.?

i want to dicuss removal options.

I have keloid scar, and i don't know what type of physician i should see.?
Dermatologist
Reply:A dermatologist. Get a referral from your regular doctor if you have one. If you don't call your local hospital, college health center or university medical center and ask about dermatology services.





Here's the link to the American Academy of Dermatology, but there are other groups out there:





http://www.aad.org/default.htm
Reply:I worked for a Plastic Surgeon and he saw many people with keloids. They can be removed. However if one tends to keloid, it could happen again. Usually when a Plastic Surgeon does these surgery he has the patient put constant pressure on the scar while it is healing. So, if this is on your knee, you would have to wear some type of wrap on your knee it keep pressure on it. I have seen some very good results, so go ahead and make an appointment for a consultation. Go to a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON.
Reply:Treatment for keloid scars


There are 3 treatment options for keloid scars:


surgical removal


non-surgical interventions





combination treatments.


I will briefly discuss each one.


Surgical treatment of keloid scars


This is the most effective and the least complex of the available forms of treatment, the recurrence rate however is thought to be about 50%.


Lasers have been tried as an alternative to knife surgery but so far the outcomes are no better.





Non surgical treatments for keloid scars


Interferon therapy (drugs acting on the immune system), has been reported as effective in reducing keloid scarring however it does have significant side effects. Examples are toxicity, flu like symptoms, depression, nausea and vomiting.





Prolonged compression of scar tissue can theoretically soften and break up keloid scars, however the practicality of this option depends on the location of the keloid. Other non-surgical interventions that are currently being tried with varying results include antihistamines, vitamins, nitrogen mustard, Verapamil, retinoic acids.


Combined treatments for keloid scarring


One option involves surgical removal of scar tissue in combination with a couple of steroid injections -one at the time of the surgery and the second injection about 3 to 4 weeks later. However, this type of treatment is variously reported as having between a 50% to 70% rate of recurrence.





Another option combines surgery with external type radiotherapy. Radiation has the effect of interfering with skin growth (fibroblasts) and collagen production. Research varies on which type of combination therapy is the more effective. Both radiotherapy and steroid drugs have side effects so you need to discuss with your doctor the most effective. It may be worth getting a second opinion before proceeding with either treatment.