Reasons for a Keloid on a Piercing

Man with Lots of Piercings

A keloid is a form of scar tissue that appears often after a person gets a piercing. If you are wondering why keloids occur, there are a few reasons why.

What Are Keloids?

A keloid is a large growth that appears sometimes after skin has been damaged or altered. It will appears very thick, firm and shiny.

How They Occur in Piercings

It comes as a result of a rapid mutation and growth of collagen under the skin as it heals from injury or alteration. Collagen occurs naturally in wound healing, but with a keloid, the collagen mutates rapidly and becomes a tumorous growth.

Other Cases

Keloids do not only occur with piercings, but can also comes after a pimple rises or the skin is scratched. They can also occur after a person contracts chicken-pox or acne.

Symptoms of Keloidal Scarring

Keloids are not contagious or particularly harmful, but they can cause itching and pain occasionally. In severe cases, an ulcer can occur in which skin no longer grows in the affected area.

Treatments

There are a number of treatments for keloids. These include topical creams, steroidal injections, laser treatment, radiation therapy and surgery.

References

• Keloids in Adults: Conditions, Treatments and Pictures
• Keloids
• Keloid Treatment