While the home remedies listed below may not help treat keloids completely, they may help you deal with the symptoms better. Continue reading to know more.
What Are Keloids?
Keloids are fibrous growths due to abnormal wound healing in response to skin trauma or inflammation (1). These raised scars occur where the skin has healed and can be bigger than the original wound. Though keloids can appear anywhere on the body, they are commonly found on cheeks, earlobes, chest, and shoulders. However, not all scars that form after an injury are keloids. Keep reading to know how a keloid scar looks.
Symptoms Of Keloids
Keloid scars may develop as early as 1 to 3 months or even a year after the injury. The characteristics of a keloid scar are as follows:
Flesh-colored or hyperpigmented lesion Raised scar with a flat surface It can be soft, lumpy, rubbery, or hard Itchy, painful, and tender It may become darker as it grows
Any type of wound that leaves behind scars. However, certain factors may cause overgrowth and keloid scar. Read on to know what causes keloid scars.
What Causes Keloid Scars?
Wound healing occurs in three stages: inflammatory, fibroblastic, and maturation. Keloid scars develop when the fibroblastic phase persists longer and unchecked. The connective tissues overreact, resulting in an overproduction of collagen and cytokines, forming keloid scars (1). Some of the common skin injuries that can cause keloid scarring are:
Acne scars Ear piercing Surgical wounds Scratches Chickenpox Burns Insect bites Tattoos Vaccination sites
Some people might be at more risk of developing keloids. The risk factors include:
People with a darker skin tone People of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent Pregnant people Teenagers going through puberty People with a family history of keloids
Keloids are hard to get rid of, but you may try some home remedies and medical treatments to shrink or soften them. Keep reading to find out how.
How To Get Rid Of Keloids
Home Remedies For Keloids Removal
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Keloids
Apple cider is a chemical exfoliant and astringent. It may help in minimizing the redness and size of the scar (3).
Apple cider vinegar Water
Repeat this twice daily for 4-5 weeks.
2. Aspirin For Keloids
Topical aspirin is very useful in treating keloids. Its anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties prove beneficial in this case (4). However, it should be used under a physicians’s guidance.
3-4 aspirin tablets Water
Apply this once every day or every alternate day.
3. Lemon Juice For Keloids
Vitamin C may help in proper wound healing and preventing keloid scars (5). Lemon is rich in vitamin C and may help reduce keloids to a certain extent. Anecdotal evidence suggests that within a few weeks of application, you will notice changes in the flexibility, texture, and color of the skin. Lemon juice Repeat this 2 times daily.
4. Baking Soda For Keloids
Baking soda is an abrasive agent that may help in exfoliating and keeping the skin clean. It also soothes the irritated skin and reduces any swelling (6), (7). However, there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness in treating keloids.
1 teaspoon of baking soda 3 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide Cotton ball
Repeat this 2 times daily
5. Sandalwood And Rose Water For Keloids
Sandalwood is known for its skin regenerating property, and rose water has anti-inflammatory properties and is a skin toner (8), (9). These properties may help manage keloids.
1-2 teaspoons of sandalwood powder Rose water
Do this every night.
6. Garlic
Garlic may speed up wound healing and may reduce the risk of scarring (10). Therefore, applying garlic may also prevent keloids. 1-2 garlic cloves You can also use garlic oil instead of fresh garlic cloves. Repeat this every day, preferably 2 times a day.
7. Grapefruit Seed Extract For Keloids
Grapefruit seed extract contains antioxidants, vitamin C, and phytochemical compounds that may promote wound healing and reduce the risk of scars (11). This may help reduce the size of the keloids.
1 teaspoon of water 2-3 drops grapefruit seed extract Q-tip
Do this 2 times a day.
8. Honey For Keloids
Honey prevents dead cells from accumulating in the affected area, enhances blood circulation, and speeds up the healing process (12). Tualang honey, in particular, is very effective in reducing keloids (13). Honey You can apply honey 2 times daily.
9. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help in healing keloids (14). It also reduces soreness and inflammation and has wound healing properties (15). An aloe leaf Apply aloe vera gel 2 times a day.
10. Petroleum Jelly
A simple way to reduce keloid scars is to keep the area moisturized and hydrated at all times. Petroleum jelly, being an occlusive agent, traps the moisture and helps in reducing the scars (16). However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this effect. Petroleum jelly Clean the area and massage it with petroleum jelly. Reapply the jelly 3-4 times in a day.
11. Onion Juice
The effectiveness of onion in reducing keloid and hypertrophic scars was tested a few years back. The study found that onion extract or juice could improve the appearance of the scars in a short period (17).
1 white onion A cheesecloth Cotton
Repeat this 3-4 times in a day.
12. Oils To Treat Keloids
Multiple combinations of oils may work in fading away keloid scars. Fish oil and mineral oil, in particular, help manage keloids (18). Some essential oils possess skin regenerating and healing properties, along with antioxidants, to aid the carrier oil in healing the keloids.
1 tablespoon of jojoba oil A few drops of rosehip seed oil
OR
1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil Few drops of tea tree essential oil 1-2 drops of neem oil (optional)
OR A few drops of Jamaican black castor oil OR A few drops of frankincense essential oil Apply a blend of the oils mentioned to the affected area and massage gently. You can repeat this remedy several times every day for better results. These home remedies are easy and effective. However, they may not work for everyone. In such cases, it is better to consult a doctor for medical treatments.
Medical Treatments For Keloids
Removing keloids is not easy, and doctors often use a combination of more than one treatment for best results. The treatment options for keloids are as follows:
Corticosteroid injection: It may help shrink the scar and reduce the symptoms of itching and burning. Cryotherapy: It involves freezing the scar tissue to reduce the size and hardness of the scar. Surgical Excision: This involves cutting out the keloid through surgery. In most cases, the keloids may grow back if steroid injections and radiotherapies do not follow the surgery. Radiotherapy: It may help prevent the keloids from growing back after the surgery. Laser: This treatment helps flatten the keloid.
Other treatments like silicone gel or sheets, intralesional botox, or fluorouracil may also help reduce the size and improve the appearance of keloids. However, since treating keloids is not easy, it is always best if you can prevent them. Here are a few tips.
Prevention Tips
Proper wound care is essential to prevent scarring and keloids. However, if you notice tissue overgrowth, do not panic and consult a doctor.
Living With Keloids
Keloids are benign and may not need treatment. However, sometimes, the overgrowth may cause emotional distress. There is nothing wrong if you do not want to remove your keloid scars. If you feel they are affecting your daily life, causing pain and discomfort, you should consult a dermatologist to get them removed. These treatments can help minimize their appearance and reduce the pain and itchiness. Are Keloid Scars Contagious? A keloid scar is not contagious at all. It is the result of skin injury that you have suffered personally and will spread with contact. Are keloids dangerous? No, they are not dangerous. They mostly develop at a site of a previous skin injury and can be treated easily. Will I need surgery to get rid of the keloid? You may need surgery if the keloid is big and does not reduce in size with home remedies. Consult your doctor to get more clarity on the issue. Will an over-the-counter cream help keloid? Yes, an over-the-counter cream may help reduce the appearance of the keloid. However, it is best to consult your doctor before applying any creams. Can I get rid of a keloid on my piercing? Yes, a keloid on the piercing can be removed by surgical excision. What happens if you scratch a keloid? Scratching a keloid may make it grow due to the excess growth of scar tissue. Is it good to massage keloid scars? Massaging a keloid scar may not affect or reduce its appearance and size. Can you pop a keloid? No, you should not pop a keloid. Keloids do not have any deposits that you can pop out. Moreover, picking or “popping” a keloid can increase the risk of infection. Does salt water reduce keloids? There is no scientific evidence to suggest that salt water can reduce keloids. However, many users claim that washing the scar with sea salt water can help with the inflammation on the site. Can you cut off a keloid with scissors? No. Slicing or cutting off a keloid increases the risk of an even bigger keloid developing on the same site.
