Bumps around eyebrow piercings are common. Identifying a keloid is important for effective treatment. Keloids are a specific type of scar tissue overgrowth.
Understanding Eyebrow Piercing Bumps
A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that extends beyond the original boundaries of the wound. It forms when the body produces too much collagen during the healing process, resulting in a raised, thickened, and often firm or rubbery scar. Keloids can develop months to a year after the initial injury. They can be itchy or painful, and may continue to grow over time.
It is important to distinguish keloids from other common piercing bumps, such as hypertrophic scars and irritation bumps. Hypertrophic scars are also raised and red, but they remain within the confines of the original wound or piercing site. These are often a temporary reaction to trauma or irritation and may improve over time. Irritation bumps are typically small, localized swellings caused by factors like improper aftercare, poor jewelry quality, or physical trauma to the piercing. They tend to appear quickly after a piercing.
The eyebrow area can be prone to keloid formation due to the localized trauma of piercing. Movement of the eyebrow or tension on the skin can contribute to irritation, which may increase the risk of keloid formation. Individuals with a genetic predisposition, particularly those with darker skin tones, are more susceptible to developing keloids.
Treatment Approaches for Keloids
Keloids rarely resolve on their own with home remedies and require professional medical intervention. Consulting a dermatologist or healthcare professional is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment plans often involve a combination of therapies.
Corticosteroid injections are a common first-line treatment. These injections, usually administered directly into the keloid, help to reduce inflammation, suppress collagen production, and shrink the scar. Patients typically require a series of monthly injections for several months, and while 50% to 80% of keloids may shrink, some may regrow within five years. Possible side effects include skin thinning, spider veins, or changes in skin color.
Cryotherapy involves freezing the keloid with liquid nitrogen. This method can reduce the size and hardness of smaller keloids by destroying the scar tissue from the inside out. Multiple sessions may be needed, and side effects can include blistering, pain, or temporary or permanent loss of skin color, especially in individuals with darker skin.
Laser treatment can flatten larger keloids, ease itchiness, and help fade their color by targeting blood vessels in the scar tissue. This is often used in combination with corticosteroid injections or other treatments. Multiple sessions are usually required, spaced several weeks apart.
Surgical removal can eliminate the keloid tissue, but it carries a high recurrence rate, ranging from 45% to 100% if not combined with other therapies. To minimize recurrence, surgery is often followed by adjuvant treatments like radiation therapy or corticosteroid injections.
Silicone sheets and gels are non-invasive options that can help flatten and soften keloids. They are often used as a preventive measure after an injury or after other keloid treatments. While widely used, some studies indicate insufficient evidence to definitively confirm their effectiveness compared to no treatment or other therapies.
Common home remedies like saline soaks or tea tree oil are generally more effective for irritation bumps or hypertrophic scars rather than true keloids. While tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that might help with general irritation, it can be too potent for fresh piercings and should be diluted if used at all. For a confirmed keloid, professional medical consultation is necessary.
Preventing Future Keloids
Preventing keloid formation, especially for those prone to them, involves careful attention to piercing practices and aftercare. Choosing an experienced and reputable piercer who uses sterile equipment and high-quality, hypoallergenic jewelry, such as implant-grade titanium, is important. This helps minimize irritation and allergic reactions that can trigger keloid development.
Proper aftercare is crucial for healthy healing and reducing the risk of keloids. This includes regular cleansing of the piercing site with a gentle saline solution. Avoiding unnecessary touching, twisting, or fiddling with the piercing is important, as this can introduce bacteria and cause irritation or trauma. Additionally, protecting the healing area from tension or friction from clothing or accessories is recommended.
For individuals with a history of keloids or a genetic predisposition, it is advisable to consult a doctor before getting new piercings. They can assess the risk and provide guidance on preventive measures. Recognizing early signs of irritation and seeking prompt professional advice if any unusual bumps or thickening occur can also make a difference in managing potential keloids.