Keloid

Keloid is an abnormal wound-healing response in which excess collagen causes a raised, firm scar that extends beyond the boundaries of the original injury. It can be itchy, tender, or painful and most commonly appears on the chest, shoulders, upper back, and earlobes, though it may also develop on the scalp or at surgical and donor sites; people with darker skin, a family history of keloids, or younger age are at higher risk.

Diagnosis is typically clinical based on appearance and history, and management focuses on symptom relief, cosmetic improvement, and reducing recurrence risk; common options include intralesional corticosteroid injections, silicone sheeting and pressure therapy, cryotherapy, laser treatments, and combined surgical excision with adjuvant therapies because surgery alone often leads to recurrence. Preventive measures emphasize careful wound care and minimizing unnecessary skin trauma in susceptible individuals, and clinicians take keloid risk into account when planning procedures that involve incisions on the scalp or other vulnerable areas.