Risks of a Steroid Injection on 'Dog Ear' Scars on Upper Lids, 2 Years Later.

Dogears should be corrected with a minor surgical operation. Steroids should not be used to try to solve this problem.

     A dog ear would need an excision of the redundant tissue.  A raised hypertrophic scar could be injected with steroids.  Steroid injections can cause pigmentation changes and thinning of tissues among other things.                                                                                                                                            Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

A "dog ear" refers to an area along an incision of excess skin.  Although you are apprehensive, excision of the excess skin is the best way to correct this issue.  The relative risk to this type of correction should be minimal.  I would only suggest steroids for thickened, hypertrophic scars.  Steroid injections will not alleviate skin excess.  Good Luck

The risk can be minimal if done conservatively.  Revisional surgery or scar revision may be a valid option too if again done conservatively.  See an oculoplastic surgeon.

Bottom line, your surgeon mean well but they are going to get you into trouble with the steroids.  The best solution for excess skin (that's what causes the "dog ear" is revisional surgery.  The steroids will cause fat atrophy and it is not worth the risk.

The downside of steroid injections include thinning of the skin and discoloration of the skin (if you have a darker complexion) .   If you truly have dog-ears then removal of these area offers the best solution but it does extend the scar.

Dr. ES

If there is truly a dog ear, extra skin that was not removed at the time of surgery that is now creating a ridge, it should be removed with a quick office procedure. Thickened scars can be treated with steroid injections. The most common risk is atrophy, or thinning of the skin, following the steroid injection. 

The only way that I know how to treat a true dog ear deformity is with excision of the redundant tissue. Steroids will not make this any better if in fact it is a dog ear deformity.

Steroid injections typically improve hypertrophic scarring, although they can also come with risks. 

I strongly recommend you see your surgeon for additional guidance.

Jennifer Harrington MD

 

 

"Dog ears" refers to redundant tissue, if this is the case then an excision is probably best.  Steroids will flatten hypertrophic scars.

The only indication for steroid injections would be a thickened or raised hypertrophic scar.  If there is actually extra skin then a surgical revision should be considered.  A photograph would be very helpful.