Keloid scars

Question 1

What are keloid scars?

Answer 1

Keloid scars are tumour-like lesions that arise from the connective tissue of a scar and extend beyond the dimensions of the original wound

Question 2

What are some predisposing factors for keloid scars?

Answer 2

• Ethnicity: more common in people with dark skin
• Occur more commonly in young adults, rare in the elderly
• Common sites (in order of decreasing frequency):
  
  1. Sternum
  2. Shoulder
  3. Neck
  4. Face
  5. Extensor surface of limbs
  6. Trunk

Question 3

What makes keloid scars less likely?

Answer 3

If they are made along the incisions of relaxed skin tension lines.

(REMEMBER Langer’s lines are not used anymore)

Question 4

How can keloid scars be treated?

Answer 4

• Intra-lesional steroids (triamcinolone)
• Excision is sometimes required.