Table of contents:
- Both are scars, this is different from keloids and hypertrophic scars
- Cause
- Location of appearance
- Growth
- Size
- Color
- How to overcome
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are raised, raised scars on the surface of the skin. Although they look similar at first glance, these two scars are quite different. To find out the difference, here is the review.
Both are scars, this is different from keloids and hypertrophic scars
Hypertrophic scars are raised bumps that are thickened along the wound line. Meanwhile, keloid is the flesh that grows on the scar with a hard and benign texture. Both form when scar tissue grows excessively to repair damaged skin.
Cause
Hypertrophic scars usually arise from physical trauma and chemical irritation, not due to genetic factors. Therefore, this condition can happen to anyone.
Physical trauma usually results from inflammation or infection that causes the skin to overproduce collagen. Meanwhile, chemical irritation usually occurs due to cosmetics and other personal care products that are too harsh.
Meanwhile, keloids usually appear due to skin injuries such as burns, chicken pox, ear piercing, surgical incisions, and vaccination injections. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, only about 10 percent of people develop keloids. Especially in people whose skin is prone to keloids due to genetic factors.
Location of appearance
Hypertrophic scars can appear anywhere on the body that is injured. While keloids are scars that usually appear on certain parts of the body such as the shoulders and upper arms, behind the ears, and cheeks.
Growth
Hypertrophic scars include scars that may disappear on their own over time. Usually hypertrophic scars will appear on the skin within one month after the wound begins to dry.
Meanwhile, keloids are scars that cannot heal on their own and need medical attention if they are to be removed. Keloids can also continue to grow and enlarge. Usually keloids appear after three months after the wound has healed.
Size
Hypertrophic scars usually appear no more than 4 millimeters above the skin. While keloids are scars the size of a bulge more than 4 millimeters above the surface of the skin. Because of this, keloids usually grow larger than the sores you have.
Color
Hypertrophic scars usually appear red or pink in color. Meanwhile, keloids usually grow in a pink to purplish color range. Simply put, keloids are usually darker in color than hypertrophic scars.
How to overcome
Hypertrophic scars include scars that can go away on their own. However, some medications that help speed it up include injecting corticosteroids, lasers, silicone gels, and using creams and oils.
In addition, hypertrophy scars can also be treated with techniques pressure dressing. This technique is performed using high pressure elastic bandages on the scars. This aims to limit the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the wound which can reduce collagen production.
If the hypertrophic scar can go away on its own, it is different with keloids. Removing keloids requires action from a doctor. In fact, keloids can grow back and be bigger than before even after being removed. Not much different from hypertrophy scars, keloids can also be treated with lasers, corticosteroid injections, oils, and silicone gels.
Keloid can also be reduced with the help of radiation. However, if the keloid is very large, the doctor will usually recommend that you do a surgical removal,
