How to Treat Keloids
A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that can form during the healing of a skin injury. There is no known way to actually prevent keloids; however, there are a few ways to treat them. A keloid will usually flatten out and disappear over time but there are ways to speed up the process.
Instructions
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How to Treat Keloids
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1
Identify that a keloid has formed. A keloid often looks like a small nodule of raised skin around the area where a skin injury is healing.
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2
Know that a keloid most typically forms on the shoulders, chest, and earlobes but a keloid can also form inside the mouth and/or on the tongue after a piercing.
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3
Gargle: If the keloid has formed inside the mouth, gargle with warm salt water for about a minute a day. Do this everyday for three to six weeks, until the keloid goes away.
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4
Apply gel: If the keloid is elsewhere on the body, apply a portion of silicone gel sheeting to the effected area. Keep this on for at least 12 hours a day for a minimum of three months.
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5
Go see your doctor: If the keloid isn't being helped with the silicone gel sheeting, consult a physician. He can use a more popular treatment, which includes injecting a steroid solution into the keloid. This process is often most successful when dealing with multiple keloids.
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Tips & Warnings
Keloids are usually very small and do go away on their own over time.
Sun exposure can cause a keloid to darken and become discolored. Be sure to wear sunscreen to prevent this from happening.
