A colloid scar (another name - keloid) is a defect in the epidermis, in which the proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of a convex tight scar are manifested. Keloids, as a rule, appear after a certain period of time after injuries of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. They gradually increase in size and may extend beyond the damaged area. The main feature of the scar is that it slowly penetrates into nearby tissues and is not able to dissolve spontaneously.
Overgrown connective tissue has many blood vessels, so keloid, as a rule, unlike simple scars, has a reddish, flesh or brown color. In addition, it has a heterogeneous structure and irregular shape. Very often colloidal scars are manifested by itching, soreness and throbbing. In severe cases, the keloid is so large that it visually resembles a tumor.
Disease classification
Colloidal scars are divided into two main categories: true, false and secondary. True ones can form without any mechanical effects on the skin. In most cases, for unknown reasons, they are located, usually on the back, in the upper chest, as well as on the earlobes and neck. Formations 5-7 mm rise above the surface of the skin. They are smooth, benign, painless and not sensitive. In laboratory studies of true keloids, many specific collagen fibers are found in biological material .
Secondary keloids
Secondary keloids are formed due to injuries, as well as various thermal or chemical burns of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. In certain cases, a pathological formation forms at the site of the former boil, stoma, or trophic ulcer.
In addition, the colloid scar (pictured) can be classified by age. In this case, chronic scars and newly formed ones differ. Young keloids have a pronounced bright color and a glossy smooth surface. Older scars are characterized by a large number of connective tissue nodes, pale color and roughness. A few years after the formation of scars cease to grow in size.
Colloidal scars should be distinguished from other skin neoplasms. In cases where the emerging growth has a soft consistency, quickly increases in size and is accompanied by swelling of nearby tissues, then there are certain reasons to suspect the development of a malignant tumor process.
Causes of keloids
To date, medical science has failed to identify the main causes that cause the appearance of colloidal scars on the face and body. However, scientists were able to establish that with pathological changes in the normal processes of skin regeneration, the fusion of damaged tissues among themselves begins. Wound healing is a very complex and lengthy process, and in addition to skin cells, the immune, lymphatic and circulatory systems are also involved. In healthy people, restoration of the skin after minor injuries takes about a week, and a serious burn or laceration sometimes heals for a whole year.
In the process of regeneration, a flat scar forms on the skin surface, which subsequently smoothes and disappears. If at a certain stage the tissue regeneration process is disrupted, then the damaged surface gradually begins to be covered not with a fresh layer of the epidermis, but with connective tissue, in which a high content of collagen is noted. Thus, a colloidal scar is formed, which can continue to grow and goes beyond the original wound, even after a long period after wound healing.
Characteristic feature
The main characteristic feature of colloidal scars is the minimal relationship between the size of the scar and the severity of the initially received skin injury. In most cases, scars form on the site of small abrasions and scratches, blackheads, injections, and insect bites. In some people, for unknown reasons, keloids form in areas of completely healthy skin. In this case, scars are most often formed on inactive parts of the body, for example:
- In the navel, on the stomach.
- Over the ears and on the earlobes.
- On the shoulders and shoulder blades.
- On the chest, neck and clavicle.
- At the base of the neck.
Symptoms of pathology
A colloid scar is a hard, coarse outgrowth on the skin. Its dimensions can reach several millimeters or even tens of centimeters. Due to the large number of blood vessels, this formation differs in color from the surrounding epidermal tissues. This disease is asymptomatic. In the early stages of occurrence, the scar can itch and itch, there is a slight tingling and burning sensation in places of skin damage. In most cases, these formations do not cause any pain or discomfort.
We will consider the treatment of colloid scars below, but for now let's talk about the diagnosis.
Diagnosis of the disease
It is very easy to diagnose a neoplasm, which is due to a number of characteristic manifestations. These include:
- Red or brown shade of formation. The skin around the scar can be hyperemic, which is a consequence of the abundance of capillaries.
- Unlike a simple scar, a keloid has sensitivity, and pressure on it can be accompanied by minor pain.
- Itching and some throbbing in the area of large scars. Symptoms, accompanied by slight physical discomfort, in most cases can disturb the patient for the first time, about a year from the moment of keloid formation. After the end of this period, scars, as a rule, go into an inactive stage. They gradually cease to increase in size, turn pale and lose excessive soreness, and after another year, keloids, as a rule, take the form of rough scars of irregular shape.
Provoking factors and risk groups
There are a number of certain factors that are the main prerequisites for the formation of colloidal scars (photo presented in the article). The list of such factors includes:
- Violation of the reproductive or endocrine systems, hormonal changes.
- Adolescent or old age.
- The oppressed immune system.
- The condition after transplantation of certain organs or tissues, as well as transferred pathological processes of an infectious nature or the presence of an immunodeficiency virus in the body.
- The period of pregnancy and lactation.
- Hereditary factors.
- The inflammatory process, suppuration of wounds.
- Violation of the innervation and blood supply of tissues in the injured area, for example, due to ulcerative formations or burns.
On the face
Often, colloidal scars form on the lip, earlobes, navel or nose as a result of punctures. Keloids in these areas can occur due to the ingress of infectious agents into the wound and the development of subsequent inflammatory reactions. When piercing, for example, you must follow the rules for caring for it and treat the wound with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ointments (zinc or boric ointment), develop a puncture area, wear silver or special medical steel products.
Many are interested in how to remove a colloidal scar.
Treatment
Since the reasons for the formation of such scars have not been reliably established to date, their universal treatment also does not exist. Specialists select the treatment methods, as a rule, individually, which directly depends on the manifestation of this pathology. Treatment may include conservative, that is, drug therapies and surgery.
Pharmacological treatment can be used to eliminate colloidal scars that formed no more than 12 months ago. The following techniques are used:
- Freezing convex keloids and growths with liquid nitrogen is the so-called cryotherapy. Nitrogen acts on a fluid contained in tissues, which, as a rule, is also found in large quantities in keloid neoplasms. The main disadvantage of this technique is that by means of cryotherapy it is possible to remove only the external manifestation of such a scar. This method can be used in the implementation of complex therapy.
- Corticosteroid injection into the affected area. At the same time, such medications as Lorinden or Prednisolone are used, which include a hormone that promotes local reduction in collagen production and a decrease in the manifestations of the inflammatory process.
- Immunomodulators, such as Likopid or Interferon, which are also injected under the skin directly into the keloid tissue. Such injections should be carried out once every two weeks for several months.
- Medications designed to prevent the proliferation of pathological tissues. These include drugs: "Ronidase", "Lidase", "Longidase." These are medicines that are injected into areas near the scar and do not allow it to spread to nearby tissues.
- Ointments for colloidal scars are very effective. They are designed against scar tissue. As a rule, they are used as an auxiliary and prophylactic agent. Such ointments include: "Kontraktubeks", "Solcoseryl", "Dermatics".
What else involves the treatment of colloidal scars?
Physiotherapy in the treatment of keloids
Therapy also includes the use of a variety of physiotherapeutic procedures. They are:
- Electromagnetic microwave effect on pathological formation. It is used, as a rule, to destabilize the fluid contained in the tissue of the colloidal scar. It is recommended to use this method in parallel with cryotherapy.
- Electrophoresis, carried out by the introduction of corticosteroids using electrical impulses.
- Magnetic wave therapy, which is used exclusively in the form of a preventive measure, in order to stimulate the rapid regeneration of the skin. This technique is usually used to treat patients who have a hereditary predisposition to the formation of colloidal scars, as well as people with weakened immune systems and having large wounds.
About six months after the formation of a colloidal scar, various cosmetic procedures can be performed that are usually aimed at eliminating the effects of scarring of certain areas of the skin. In this case, the following methods are used:
- Laser therapy to remove small connective tissue nodules.
- Peeling and scrub - to smooth the surface of the skin.
- Darsonvalization.
Colloidal scar removal
You can get rid of keloid using cryotherapy or surgery. In the first event, a special preparation is applied to the growth for a long time, under the influence of which the keloid can be removed in layers. For its complete removal, approximately ten procedures are required.
Surgical intervention consists in total excision of the connective tissue, which makes up the pathological formation. After this, stitches are applied to the wound. In cases where the scar was very large, a skin transplant is recommended . After removal of the colloidal scar, the risk of scar recurrence is very high, therefore, after such operations, it is recommended to carry out medication and physiotherapy.
It should be noted that surgical or injection methods of treatment are contraindicated for people with true scars, since they can lead to the formation of new formations.
Treatment with folk remedies
Along with the above cosmetic procedures, medications and physiotherapy, traditional medicine methods can be used to eliminate keloids. To treat various skin pathologies, including colloidal scars, you can use lemon juice, which gently lubricate the affected area.
Another way to improve the blood supply to the skin in the keloid is to collect herbs: chamomile, nettle and yarrow. These herbs have a restorative and anti-inflammatory effect. Herbs are brewed in boiling water and applied to the affected areas in the form of gauze compresses.
Colloid scar: reviews
These neoplasms appear very often. According to reviews, getting rid of them is not easy. True scars are not treatable at all. Cosmetological procedures will help smooth the skin, but completely remove the defect is extremely rare. But do not give up. You need to start with a visit to the doctor.