Patients who keloid in these areas should assume that any surgery, cut, or inflammation will likely trigger a keloid. Keloids below the elbow are knee are relatively rare. The general rule is if a patient keloids on the chest, shoulders, or back, they might be more likely to keloid on the stomach, arms, scalp, and elsewhere. However, individuals who develop keloids in one area of the body might never get them in another. Right now, the only way we know for sure whether a patient keloids is if they come to see us with one. Some researchers think it may be purely genetic others think the prevalence in these populations has something to do with sun penetration and melanin, a dark pigment in the skin. We know keloids disproportionately affect people of color, especially those of African and Hispanic descent. Over time, we hope to amass enough data to sort by patient demographics such as ethnicity to provide clues as to why certain populations are more prone to developing the condition. Today, researchers have a small amount of data for East Asian ethnicities (including Japanese and Chinese Han populations) and one gene has been identified in one Nigerian family as potentially associated with keloids. We’ve also observed variable expressivity, in which family members who keloid do not always develop the same intensity of scars or in the same area of the body, such as the face, chest, arms, or groin. For example, a parent might never keloid but might pass the genetic mutation on to their child. Research also suggests that genetic mutations potentially associated with keloids might skip a generation, which is known as incomplete penetrance. Preliminary data indicate that when keloids appear to run in families, approximately half of family members keloid and the other half doesn’t. If we can identify genetic mutations in patients who keloid, we might one day be able to screen families, correct the mutation, and prevent or dramatically reduce instances of the condition. We also draw a blood sample to examine their DNA and take photos of their scars for observation. Patients with keloids who agree to contribute to the database answer a short questionnaire about their condition and family history. UT Southwestern is building a database of patient information to help determine whether there are genetic components related to keloid scarring. Researchers think there might be genetic factors associated with keloid scarring, and we are on the cutting-edge of this developing field of study. In other words, their bodies ‘overheal’ with excessive scar tissue.

Patients who keloid have more dermis – and more cells that generate dermis – than patients who do not keloid. These cells are found in the dermis, the deeper level of the skin. Collagen is a substance produced by a type of skin cells called fibroblasts. Keloids are the result of excessive collagen production. Our hope is to get to the root cause of keloids to improve standards of care and potentially prevent excessive scarring. My UT Southwestern dermatology colleagues and I are working to identify genetic factors that increase the risk of keloid scarring. Approximately 75% of patients who keloid have intermittent itching, while about half have scar-related pain. Some patients experience limited mobility if the scars cross major joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, or knees. Others have told us keloids have compelled them to keep their arms and legs covered. While some patients don’t mind their scars, others are very bothered by them, finding it impossible to camouflage facial keloids. Research suggests that keloids affect patients’ quality of life similarly to psoriasis. The condition can range from mildly annoying to socially limiting. Patients tend to first notice symptoms between ages 10 and 30, with the 20s as the prime age to develop keloids. Over months or years, scars can grow from the size of a pencil top eraser to a grapefruit or larger. Patients who develop keloids, might wind up with scars much larger in width and height than the original injury. Keloids can arise from cuts, burns, chickenpox, acne, and piercings. But for approximately 4% to 6% of patients, the healing process goes too far, resulting in thick, raised scars known as keloids. For most people, when they cut themselves shaving the wound will become slightly inflamed, scab over, and maybe leave a tiny scar.

Keylord skin