Keloid

Last reviewed: 23 Aug 2023
Last updated: 13 Mar 2018

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • history of inciting event (e.g., body piercing, surgery, insect bite, vaccination)
  • slow growth
  • erythematous, smooth, and shiny elevated scar with overhanging edge
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • itchiness, tingling, or pain
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • history of prior keloid
  • family history of keloid
  • darker skin types
  • trauma
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • clinical diagnosis
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • skin biopsy
More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

all patients

Contributors

Authors

Andrew Burd, MB ChB, MD, FRCSEd, FHKAM(Surgery)

Professor

Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

China

Disclosures

AB is an author of a number of references cited in this monograph.

Lin Huang, PhD, MBBS

Scientific Officer (Medical)

Skin Bank, Burns Centre

Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery

Prince of Wales Hospital

Hong Kong

China

Disclosures

LH is an author of a reference cited in this monograph.

Peer reviewers

Edward E. Tredget, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Director

Firefighters' Burn Treatment Unit and Plastic Surgery Wound Healing Research Laboratory

Professor

Department of Surgery

University of Alberta

Edmonton

Alberta

Canada

Disclosures

EET declares that he has no competing interests.

David Cassarino, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

University of California

Los Angeles

CA

Disclosures

DC declares that he has no competing interests.

Brian L. Swick, MD

Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Pathology

University of Iowa

Iowa City

IA

Disclosures

BLS declares that he has no competing interests.

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