TREATMENT FOR KELOIDS

The methods now available to treat keloids are:

Cortisone injections ( intralesional steroids )This is safe and not very painful. Injections are usually given once per monthuntil the maximum benefit is obtained. Injections are safe ( very little steroid gets into the body) and usually help flatten keloids. Steroid injections can also make the flattened keloid redder by stimulating theformation of more superficial blood vessels ( these can be treated using alaser ).

The keloid may look better after treatment than it looked to start with, buteven the best results leave a mark that looks and feels quite different fromsurrounding skin.SurgeryThis is risky, because cutting a keloid can trigger the formation of a similaror even larger keloid. Some surgeons achieve success by injecting steroids orapplying pressure dressings to the wound site after cutting away the keloid.

Radiation after surgical excision has also been used.
LaserThe pulsed-dye laser can be effective at flattening keloids and making themlook less red. Treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatmentsessions may be needed.

Silicone sheetsThis involves wearing a sheet of silicone gel on the affected area for severalhours a day for weeks or months, which is hard to sustain. Results arevariable. Some doctors claim similar success with compression dressings madefrom materials other than silicone.

CryotherapyFreezing keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them, but often darkens thesite of treatment.

InterferonInterferons are proteins produced by our immune systems which help fight offviruses, bacteria, and other challenges. Injections of interferon have shownpromise in reducing the size of keloids, though it's not yet certain whether thateffect will be lasting. Current research is underway using a variant of thismethod, applying topical imiquimod ( aldara ), which stimulates the body toproduce interferon.

FluorouracilInjections of this chemotherapy agent, alone or together with steroids, havebeen used as well for treatment of keloids.

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