What is keloid?

Keloid is an overgrowth of the scar tissue that develops around a wound, usually after the wound has healed. A keloid scar is sometimes confused with a hypertrophic scar. However, keloid usually grows beyond the borders of the original wound whereas in a hypertrophic scar the tissue stays within the wound border.The cause is not known but it's more common in people who have darker skins.

 

Various treatments are available for keloid. People prone to develop keloid should avoid piercings, tattoos and unnecessary surgery.

When first coined in 1806, the original term was 'chéloïde', taken from the Greek word 'chele' which means crab's claw. This refers to the way the keloid grows sideways into the normal skin