Life Line

Concerned about keloid growths

DEAR READERS,

Joy B. from St. Ann is very concerned about keloid growths which have formed behind both her earlobes where they were pierced a few years ago.

She asks who should remove the keloids and enquires if her ears will be able to take earrings without the keloids recurring.

Keloids scars occur as a result of imperfect healing of breaks in the skin due to a number of factors including decreased blood flow to the area and poor oxygenation of the injured tissues. The healing scar overgrows into a large, raised mass known as a keloid.

A significant number of people who suffer with acne get keloids forming in the acne scars particularly to the back of the scalp. Black people are more likely to develop keloids than any other ethnic group.

In Jamaica surgery by a general surgeon or plastic surgeon is used to remove the keloid scar tissues. Laser surgery is available in several other countries to treat keloid scars. After the excision of the tissues and initiation of the healing process, the area is either injected with steroid preparation such as TRIAMCINOLONE or locally irradiated (with x-rays) to prevent re-scarring of the areas. There is no guarantee that keloids will not reform if the treated area is aggravated. While Joy can take a chance and try with the pierced earrings again, she will be safer using clip on earrings.

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LIFELINE

c/o THE STAR,

7 North Street

Kingston

or email to star@gleanerjm.com (please use the subject "lifeline" in all emails)