Skin
Medicines for Keloid scar
An overgrown scar that spreads beyond the original wound, caused by excess collagen during healing — harmless but sometimes itchy or troubling, and treatable.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Keloid scar?
A keloid scar is a type of raised, overgrown scar that extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound. When skin is injured, the body makes collagen to repair it; in a keloid, too much collagen is produced during healing, so the scar grows larger and beyond the edges of the original injury, sometimes continuing to grow over time.
- How it is treated: Keloids can be difficult to treat and have a tendency to recur, so treatment is individualised and often aims to flatten, soften and settle the scar and relieve symptoms rather than necessarily remove it completely.
- Self-care: For those prone to keloids: avoiding unnecessary skin trauma and piercings, and using early measures (such as silicone sheets or pressure) on new wounds, help prevent them.
- When to seek help: See a GP or dermatologist about a raised, growing scar that extends beyond the original wound, especially if it is itchy, uncomfortable, or cosmetically troubling, so treatment options can be discussed.
What it is
A keloid scar is a type of raised, overgrown scar that extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound. When skin is injured, the body makes collagen to repair it; in a keloid, too much collagen is produced during healing, so the scar grows larger and beyond the edges of the original injury, sometimes continuing to grow over time. Keloids can form after various skin injuries — including cuts, surgery, piercings, acne, burns, or even minor trauma — and appear as firm, raised, smooth, shiny lumps that are often darker or pink, and can be itchy, tender, or occasionally painful. They most commonly occur on the chest, shoulders, upper back, earlobes (for example after piercing), and the neck. They are more common in some people, including those with a family tendency and those with darker skin. Keloids are harmless (not cancerous) and do not spread like a disease, but they can be persistent, cosmetically distressing, and uncomfortable. Some people are prone to forming them repeatedly.
How it is treated
Keloids can be difficult to treat and have a tendency to recur, so treatment is individualised and often aims to flatten, soften and settle the scar and relieve symptoms rather than necessarily remove it completely. Options, used alone or in combination and guided by a doctor or dermatologist, include steroid injections into the scar (a common treatment to flatten and soften it and reduce itch), silicone gel sheets or dressings, pressure treatments (for example pressure earrings after earlobe keloids), and, in selected cases, other approaches such as freezing (cryotherapy), laser treatment, or surgery — though surgery alone carries a high risk of the keloid returning (often larger), so it is usually combined with other treatments (like injections or other measures) to reduce recurrence. Because keloids are prone to coming back, preventing them is important in people who scar this way — for example avoiding unnecessary skin trauma and piercings, and taking early measures on new wounds. The reassuring message is that keloids are harmless, and while they can be stubborn, treatments can flatten and soften them and relieve symptoms, especially with specialist guidance.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Keloid scar
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
For those prone to keloids: avoiding unnecessary skin trauma and piercings, and using early measures (such as silicone sheets or pressure) on new wounds, help prevent them. For existing keloids, silicone gel sheets and following prescribed treatments help soften and settle them.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP or dermatologist about a raised, growing scar that extends beyond the original wound, especially if it is itchy, uncomfortable, or cosmetically troubling, so treatment options can be discussed. If you are prone to keloids, seek advice before piercings or elective procedures.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Keloid scar: frequently asked questions
What is a keloid scar?
It is an overgrown scar that spreads beyond the original wound, caused by the body producing too much collagen during healing. Keloids are firm, raised and can be itchy or tender, and commonly form on the chest, shoulders, earlobes and neck. They are harmless but can be persistent.
Can keloid scars be treated?
Yes, though they can be stubborn and tend to recur. Treatments — often combined — include steroid injections, silicone sheets, pressure treatments, and sometimes freezing, laser or surgery (surgery usually combined with other treatments to reduce recurrence). Specialist guidance helps.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Keloid scars
- British Association of Dermatologists guidance
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