Keloids are firm, fibrous tissue nodules typically found in areas of previous skin trauma such as burns or scars. They can be single or scattered across an area of the skin and may be itchy or painful following the inciting trigger. Keloids can be very disfiguring and restrict normal motion causing significant discomfort. Keloids are most common in African-Americans and people of Mediterranean descent but may appear in people of any ethnicity.
Keloids can be quite difficult to treat. Excision of keloids are only performed if there is a post-procedure plan to prevent recurrence. Injectable steroids are often used to cause atrophy of the keloids so they are softer and less raised. On occasion, radiation therapy or chemotherapeutics such as 5-fluorouracil are used.