Keloid Scars Flashcards
Which ethnic group is more prone to keloid scars?
People with dark skin
What are keloid scars?
Tumour-like lesions that arise from the connective tissue of a scar and extend beyond the original wound
At what age are keloid scars more common?
Young adults; they are rare in the elderly
What are the most common sites for keloid scars? (List in order of frequency)
Sternum, shoulder, neck, face, extensor surface of limbs, trunk
What is a first-line treatment for early keloid scars?
Intra-lesional steroids, e.g., triamcinolone
How can surgical incisions reduce the risk of keloid scarring?
By making incisions along relaxed skin tension lines
A 32-year-old Afro-Caribbean woman with a history of keloid scarring following her caesarean section 1 year ago, wonders about her risk of forming similar keloid scars in the future.
Where would she be most likely to have a similar problem in the future?
sternum
Why must the excision of keloids be carefully considered?
Because it may lead to further keloid formation
A 35-year-old woman presents to the GP with an unsightly mark on her abdomen. On examination, a linear raised dark lesion in the suprapubic location. It is in keeping with a Pfannenstiel incision. She reports no pain. The woman insists on some treatment as it is affecting her self-confidence.
She has no family history of skin cancer. However, she recalls her mother having a similar mark following an open appendectomy.
Given the likely diagnosis, what is the most appropriate treatment?
Intralesional steroid
