A keloid is a raised scar that develops after skin injury, such as from a belly piercing. It represents an overgrowth of scar tissue, extending beyond the original wound boundaries. While benign and not harmful to physical health, keloids can be cosmetically bothersome and sometimes cause discomfort or itching. These scars form due to excessive collagen production during the body’s healing process.
Identifying a Keloid
A keloid has a distinct appearance and growth pattern. It typically presents as a thick, raised scar that can be lumpy, shiny, or rubbery. Its color may range from flesh-toned to pink, red, brown, or darker than the surrounding skin. Unlike other scar types, a keloid grows beyond the edges of the initial wound or injury, sometimes months to years after the trauma.
A keloid differs from a hypertrophic scar, another type of raised scar often confused with a keloid. Hypertrophic scars remain confined to the original wound area and may fade over time without treatment. In contrast, keloids spread into healthy surrounding skin and generally do not regress on their own. While both involve excess collagen, keloids have significantly more and irregularly arranged collagen fibers. A healthcare professional can typically diagnose a keloid by visual examination, though a skin biopsy might rule out other conditions.
Approaches to Home Treatment
At-home methods can manage keloids on belly piercings, though effectiveness depends on the keloid’s size and age. Silicone sheets and gels are a suggested non-invasive approach. These products hydrate the scar, apply gentle pressure, and potentially regulate collagen production to flatten and soften the keloid. For optimal results, silicone sheets should be worn consistently, 12 to 24 hours a day, for several weeks to months.
Compression therapy, applying continuous pressure to the keloid, is another home option. This method helps break down excess collagen and improve blood flow, contributing to a smoother appearance. However, maintaining consistent pressure on a belly piercing site can be challenging and uncomfortable. While some topical creams with ingredients like onion extract or vitamin E are available, their efficacy for established keloids is often limited and requires consistent, long-term application. Home treatments may have limited success, especially for larger or older keloids. If home remedies are ineffective or the keloid worsens, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable.
Professional Medical Interventions
When home treatments are insufficient, professional medical interventions are available, often used in combination for better outcomes. Corticosteroid injections are a common first-line treatment. These injections, typically triamcinolone acetonide, are administered directly into the keloid to reduce inflammation, soften scar tissue, and flatten it by inhibiting collagen production. Patients usually require a series of monthly injections over several months, with success rates varying from 50% to 100% in reducing size.
Cryotherapy, freezing the keloid with liquid nitrogen, is effective for smaller keloids. This process causes controlled damage to excess scar cells, leading to the keloid shrinking over time. Repeat treatments may be necessary, and cryotherapy is often combined with corticosteroid injections to enhance results. Laser therapy, particularly pulsed-dye lasers, can reduce the height and fade the color of keloids. Lasers break down excess scar tissue and stimulate healthy skin regeneration, though multiple sessions are usually required and often used with other therapies.
Surgical excision, cutting out the keloid, is an option, but it carries a high recurrence risk, sometimes resulting in a larger keloid if performed alone. For this reason, surgery is almost always combined with other treatments, such as corticosteroid injections, radiation therapy, or pressure therapy, to minimize regrowth. Radiation therapy, using low-dose X-rays, can be applied alone or, more effectively, after surgical removal to inhibit cell proliferation and prevent recurrence. This targeted treatment aims to inhibit the body’s scarring mechanism, with reported success rates of 67% to 98% when following surgery. Newer topical treatments and injectables are also being explored in research to reduce and stop keloid growth.
Post-Treatment Care and When to Consult a Specialist
Post-treatment care is important to minimize keloid recurrence, whether after home remedies or professional interventions. General wound care, including keeping the treated area clean and protected, helps prevent infection and inflammation that could trigger new scar tissue. Continued compression, often through specialized garments or silicone products, can apply sustained pressure on the treated area, which helps prevent excessive collagen formation. This pressure should be maintained for several months to optimize outcomes.
Monitoring the treated area for signs of recurrence, such as itching, discomfort, or thickening, is important. Early detection allows for prompt intervention, which can significantly improve further treatment success. Consult a specialist if the keloid is growing rapidly, causing pain, or showing signs of infection. Professional medical advice is also essential if home treatments are ineffective, if you are unsure about the diagnosis, or if the keloid affects your movement or causes significant cosmetic concern.