March 05, 2021 3 min read

Keloids on Ear; an Unusual Form of Healing. Find out Symptoms and Treatments

Have you ever seen unknown scars on your body that keep on growing? Keloids on the ear, as well as keloids on piercings, are common. These scars keep on growing. Some medical and natural treatments help to reduce the marks.

What Is a Keloid?

Keloids are scars that are the product of an injury. They form when a skin injury heals but often increase in size than the original wound. Their color is darker than our skin tone, and they cause itchiness. Keloids on ears, cheeks, shoulders and chest are more common.

5-15% of wounds heal with a keloid. Their onset is within one year of injury. They are made of skin mainly having collagen.

Can tattoos turn into keloids?

Although keloids are the result of an injury; however, any damage to the skin can increase their risk. Experts suggest avoiding tattoo if you have keloid issues.

Can you get rid of a keloid?

Some conventional therapies help to deal with keloids. Some treatments are temporary, and some are permanent. However, these treatments have a limited success rate.

Do keloid scars ever go away on their own?

There is nothing, that can remove these scars. However, they reduce in size and color with time.

Keloid Signs and Symptoms

Keloid symptoms mainly include:

  • Large, raised scar tissue
  • Itching or burning on scar
  • Slow growth over the time
  • Hyperpigmentation 

Causes and Risk Factors

Researchers have found that keloids can be due to genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors of keloids are:

  • Dark skin tones
  • Family ties to keloids
  • Delayed wound healing
  • Pregnancy

Conventional Treatment

Some of the conventional treatments of keloids include:

  • Corticosteroid injections 

These injections are the first-line treatment for keloids, and people feel the difference after it.

  • Surgical keloid removal

Its usage is to stop keloids from returning.

  • Silicone dressings

These sheets reduce the size of keloids.

  • Compression

They help to shrink the keloids.

  • Cryotherapy 

It also reduces the size of keloids.

However, there is no guarantee of permanent removal of the keloid. 

5 Natural Tips to Treat Keloids

Some of the natural tips to treat keloids are:

  1. Honey

Raw honey has always been used in wounds dressing. It fights against skin infections. A study showed that it could heal the keloid-like scars in animals. It has this impact because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

  1. Onion

Onions have quercetin, which is anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Both of these help to reduce keloids. It is also used in combinations with other medications to compress keloid scars.

  1. Garlic

Garlic is equally effective to treat keloid as any other treatment.

  1. Retinol cream

Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A. They break down the fibers present in keloids.

  1. Scar minimizers

Some other scar minimizers to treat keloids are:

  • Green tea 
  • Oleanolic acid
  • Curcumin
  • Emodin 

You can also try different approaches to manage your keloids:

  • Camouflage.

You can apply makeup to cover keloids. Use the color per your skin tone.

  • Acupuncture

Acupuncture improves the itchiness, color and size of the keloid.

Prevention

Means to prevent keloids include:

  • Avoiding skin injury
  • Avoid infection after surgery
  • Timely application of medications on scars
  • Changing the bandages regularly

Precautions

Consult the health care provider for optimum utilization of medications. In case of any irritation, stop using homemade therapies. If you feel pain, burning or signs of infection on the skin, seek medical care immediately. A dermatologist will recommend you the most effective method of treatment according to your needs.