A colloid scar (another name is keloid) is a defect in the epidermis, in which the proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of a convex tight scar are manifested. Keloids, as a rule, appear after a certain period of time after injuries of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. They gradually increase in size and may extend beyond the damaged area. The main feature of the scar is that it slowly penetrates into nearby tissues and is not able to dissolve spontaneously.
The overgrown connective tissue has many blood vessels, so keloid, as a rule, unlike simple scars, has a reddish, flesh or brown color. In addition, it has a heterogeneous structure and irregular shape. Very often, colloidal scars are manifested by itching, soreness and pulsation. In severe cases, the keloid can be so large that it visually resembles a tumor.
Disease classification
Colloid scars fall into two main categories: true, false and secondary. True ones can be formed without any mechanical effects on the skin. In most cases, for unknown reasons, they are located, as a rule, on the back, in the upper chest area, as well as on the earlobes and neck. Formations 5-7 mm rise above the surface of the skin. They are smooth, benign, painless and non-sensitive. When conducting laboratory studies of true keloids, many specific collagen fibers are found in the biological material.
Secondary keloids
Secondary keloids are formed due to injuries, as well as various thermal or chemical burns of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. In certain cases, a pathological formation is formed at the site of a former boil, stoma, or trophic ulcer.
In addition, the colloidal scar (pictured) can be classified by age. At the same time, chronic scars and newly formed ones differ. Young keloids have a pronounced bright color and a glossy smooth surface. Old scars are distinguished by a large number of connective tissue nodes, pale color and roughness. A few years after the formation of the scars stop growing in size.
Colloid scars should be distinguished from other skin lesions. In cases where the emerging growth has a soft texture, quickly increases in size and is accompanied by swelling of nearbytissues, then there are certain grounds to suspect the development of a malignant tumor process.
Causes of keloids
To date, medical science has not been able to identify the main causes that cause the appearance of colloidal scars on the face and body. However, scientists managed to establish that with pathological changes in the normal processes of skin regeneration, the fusion of damaged tissues begins with each other. Wound surface healing is a very complex and lengthy process, and in addition to skin cells, it also involves the immune, lymphatic and circulatory systems. In he althy people, skin recovery from minor injuries takes about a week, and a serious burn or laceration sometimes heals for a year.
In the process of regeneration, a flat scar is formed on the surface of the skin, which subsequently smooths out and disappears. If at a certain stage the process of tissue regeneration is disturbed, then the damaged surface gradually begins to be covered not by a fresh layer of the epidermis, but by connective tissue, in which a high content of collagen is noted. In this way, a colloidal scar is formed that can continue to grow and extend beyond the original wound, even long after the wound has healed.
Characteristic
The main characteristic feature of colloidal scars is the minimal relationship between the size of the scar and the severity of the initial skin injury. In most cases, scars form at the site of small abrasions and scratches, acne, injections, insect bites. Some peoplefor also unknown reasons, keloids form in areas of absolutely he althy skin. At the same time, scars are most often formed on inactive areas of the body, for example:
- At the navel, on the stomach.
- Behind the ears and on the lobes.
- On the shoulders and shoulder blades.
- On the chest, neck and around the collarbones.
- At the base of the neck.
Symptoms of pathology
Colloid scar is a hard, rough outgrowth on the skin. Its dimensions can reach several millimeters or even tens of centimeters. Due to the large number of blood vessels, this formation differs in color from the surrounding epidermal tissues. This disease is asymptomatic. In the early stages of the scar, it may itch and itch, there is a slight tingling and burning sensation at the sites of skin damage. In most cases, these formations do not cause any pain or discomfort.
Treatment of colloidal scars will be discussed below, but for now let's talk about diagnostics.
Diagnosis of disease
Diagnosing a neoplasm is very easy, due to a number of characteristic manifestations. These include:
- Red or brown shade of education. The skin around the scar may be hyperemic, which is a consequence of the abundance of capillaries.
- Unlike a simple scar, a keloid is sensitive, and pressure on it may be accompanied by slight pain.
- Itching and some throbbing in large areasscars. Symptoms, accompanied by minor physical discomfort, in the greatest number of cases may disturb the patient during the first time, about a year after the formation of the keloid. After the end of this period, scars, as a rule, pass into an inactive stage. They gradually stop increasing in size, turn pale and lose excessive soreness, and after another year, keloids, as a rule, take the form of rough, irregularly shaped scars.
Provoking factors and risk groups
There are a number of certain factors that are the main prerequisites for the formation of colloidal scars (the photo is presented in the article). The list of such factors includes:
- Violation of the reproductive or endocrine systems, changes in hormonal levels.
- Adolescence or old age.
- Depressed work of the immune system.
- The condition after transplantation of certain organs or tissues, as well as past pathological processes of an infectious nature or the presence of an immunodeficiency virus in the body.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Hereditary factors.
- Inflammatory process, suppuration of wounds.
- Violation of innervation and blood supply to tissues in the injured area, for example, due to ulcers or burns.
Face
Colloid scars often form on the lip, earlobes, navel or nose as a result of punctures. Keloids in these areas may occur due to the entry of infectious agents into the wound and with the developmentsubsequent inflammatory reactions. When piercing, for example, it is imperative to follow the rules for caring for it and treat the wound with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ointments (zinc or boron ointment), develop the puncture area, wear products made of silver or special medical steel.
Many people wonder how to remove a colloidal scar.
Treatment
Since the causes of the formation of such scars have not been reliably established to date, their universal treatment also does not exist. Specialists select methods of therapy, as a rule, individually, which directly depends on the manifestation of this pathology. Treatment may include conservative, that is, medical therapies and surgery.
Pharmacological treatment can be used to eliminate colloidal scars that have formed no more than 12 months ago. The following methods are used for this:
- Freezing bulging keloids and growths with liquid nitrogen - the so-called cryotherapy. Nitrogen acts on the fluid contained in the tissues, which, as a rule, is found in large quantities in keloid neoplasms. The main disadvantage of this technique is that through cryotherapy it is possible to remove only the external manifestation of such a scar. This method can be used in the implementation of complex therapy.
- Injections of corticosteroids into the affected area. In this case, such medications as "Lorinden" or"Prednisolone", which include a hormone that contributes to a local decrease in the production of collagen and a decrease in the manifestations of the inflammatory process.
- Immunomodulators, such as "Likopid" or "Interferon", which are also injected under the skin, directly into the keloid tissue. These injections should be done once every two weeks for several months.
- Medications designed to prevent the growth of pathological tissues. These include drugs: "Ronidaza", "Lidaza", "Longidaza". These are medicines that are injected into areas near the scar and prevent it from spreading to nearby tissues.
- Ointments for colloidal scars are very effective. They are designed to prevent tissue scarring. As a rule, they are used as an auxiliary and prophylactic agent. These ointments include: Contractubex, Solcoseryl, Dermatix.
What else does the treatment of colloidal scars involve?
Physiotherapy in the treatment of keloids
Therapy also includes the use of a variety of physiotherapy procedures. They are:
- Electromagnetic microwave effect on pathological formation. It is used, as a rule, to destabilize the fluid contained in the tissue of the colloidal scar. It is recommended to use this method in parallel with cryotherapy.
- Electrophoresis, performed by administering corticosteroids with electrical impulses.
- Magnetic wave therapy that is usedexclusively as a preventive measure, in order to stimulate the rapid regeneration of the skin. This technique is usually used to treat patients who have a hereditary predisposition to the formation of colloidal scars, as well as people who are immunocompromised and have large wounds.
Approximately six months after the formation of a colloidal scar, all kinds of cosmetic procedures can be carried out, which are usually aimed at eliminating the consequences of scarring of certain areas of the skin. In this case, the following methods are applied:
- Laser therapy to remove small connective tissue nodules.
- Peeling and scrub - to even out the surface of the skin.
- Darsonvalization.
Colloid scar removal
You can get rid of keloid with the help of cryotherapy or surgery. In the first event, a special preparation is applied to the growth for a long time, under the influence of which the keloid can be removed in layers. It takes about ten procedures to completely remove it.
Surgical intervention consists in the total excision of the connective tissue that makes up the pathological formation. The wound is then sutured. In cases where the scar was very large, skin grafting is recommended. After removal of the colloidal scar, the risk of scar recurrence is very high, therefore, after such operations, it is recommended to carry out medication and physiotherapy.treatment.
Please note that people with true scars should not undergo surgical or injection treatments, as they can lead to the formation of new formations.
Treatment with folk remedies
Along with the above cosmetic procedures, medicines and physiotherapy, traditional medicine methods can be used to eliminate keloids. For the treatment of various skin pathologies, including colloidal scars, you can use lemon juice, which gently lubricate the affected area.
Another way to improve the blood supply to the skin in the keloid area is to collect herbs: chamomile, nettle and yarrow. These herbs have a restorative and anti-inflammatory effect. Herbs are brewed in boiling water and applied to the affected areas in the form of gauze compresses.
Colloid scar: reviews
These neoplasms appear very often. According to reviews, getting rid of them is not easy. True scars generally do not respond to treatment. Cosmetic procedures will help even out the skin, but it is extremely rare to completely remove the defect. But don't give up. You need to start with a visit to the doctor.
