Understanding Keloids: When Your Skin Gets a Bit Too Excited
What’s a Keloid?
The Body’s “Hero” That Sometimes Goes Afloat
Why It Matters (Not That it’s a Health Threat)
TL;DR: Keloids are just the skin’s way of going overboard on healing. They’re harmless but can be annoying or a source of self‑consciousness.
Quick Takeaway
What Are Keloids?
What the Heck Are Keloids?
Think of a scar as a polite, retiring house‑guest that fades away once the party ends. Keloids, however, are the over‑enthusiastic kind of guest that never leaves. They’re a form of scar that gets 100% over‑the‑top—raised, stiff, and often bigger than the original wound.
Why They’re Not Your Average Scar
- Excess Collagen Production: Imagine the skin’s healing crew firing guns at a target. In keloids, the guns go off wildly, producing a ton of collagen and, in turn, a bulkier scar.
- Persist and Expand: Normal scars taper off like a fading echo, but keloids keep growing long after the wound’s healed. They are the stubborn scar that refuses to let go.
How to Spot One
If you notice your scar getting taller, firmer, and carrying out a marathon on its own, you might be dealing with a keloid. It tends to stick out like a banner rather than blending in like a polite photograph.
What to Do About It
- Time to Come to the Rescue: While it might look like a stubborn bigamist, professionals can help—think pressure therapy, steroid injections, and sometimes laser treatment.
- Dress It Up: Wearing loosely fitting or silicone sheets can help keep it from expanding further.
Bottom line: Keloids are the scar that outlives the wound, grows on, and—if you’re lucky—can be tamed with a bit of medical magic.
