Keloid treatments
Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue that extend beyond the original wound boundary and
can be itchy, painful, or cosmetically distressing. Management is often challenging because recurrence is common, and no single therapy works for everyone. Usually, treatment involves combination approaches.
Treatment options
- Intralesional corticosteroids (e.g., triamcinolone acetonide)
- Reduces fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis.
- Given every 4–6 weeks.
- Side effects: skin thinning, hypopigmentation.
- Intralesional 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Often combined with corticosteroids.
- Improves response rates and reduces recurrence.
- Intralesional bleomycin or interferon
- Used in resistant cases.
Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen spray or contact)
- Effective for small keloids.
Surgical excision
- High recurrence risk if done alone.
- Best combined with adjuvant therapy (steroid injections, radiation, or pressure therapy)
Before and After
