What Can I Do About the Itching and Pain of the Keloids?

I am a 65 year old African American male with a serious keloid problem. They are my neck, shoulder, chest, lower stomach area and left arm.

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Dr. Doom

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Managing symptoms of keloids

The best way to minimize the symptoms of keloids such as itching, burning or pain is to inject them with either cortisone or 5-FU. Speak to your dermatologist about your best treatment options.

Benjamin Barankin, MD

10 reviews

Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon

Is it a keloid or a hypertrophic scar? Yes, it DOES matter!

Not all elevated, thickened scars are the same. Scars that grow beyond the borders of the initial injury (incsion, cut, etc) are referred to as keloids. They are not as common as hypertrophic scars but are more challenging to treat. Steroid injections can provide benefit but surgery followed by radiation is sometimes required as well. In contrast, hypertrophic scars are thickened, elevated scars that may be red in color or may be the color of your skin. ... more

Brian Biesman, MD

14 reviews

Nashville Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.drbiesman.com

Steroid Injections For Symptomatic Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars

Keloids can be very difficult to manage. Steroid injections directly into the keloid can improve symptoms such as pain and itching; steroids may also soften the keloids. Some of the body areas you describe are notorious for less than optimal healing, and have a greater frequency of widened scars, thickened scars, and/or symptomatic scars. Keloids can be excised, sometimes with good results, but results do vary and good post-operative follow-up is needed. Consult a plastic surgeon in your... more

Itching and painful keloid scars

Itching and pain most likey indicate that your keloid is in an active growth phase. The first line of therapy in my office would include: Pulsed Dye Scar Laser Selective IIT I would not recommend chemotherapy injections or radiation at this stage.