Keloids hypertrophic scars

Keloids and Hypertrophic scars
Keloids and hypertrophic scars are benign, firm, irregular and well demarcated lesions of fibrous tissue overgrowths, occuring to an excessive connective tissue response to an injury, which may be very trivial. The difference lies in the fact that a keloid extend beyond the margins of the original lesion or Injury, invading the surrounding normal skin, whereas a hypertrophic scar remains within the margins of the original defect, and tends to resolve with time.
They are known to usually occur following some kind of trauma, inflammatory skin lesion ( like acne) or at site of bites burns, ear piercing or operational scars but they can arise spontaneously also. There is no definite cause known as yet.
Keloids are known to occur especially after puberty upto the age of about 35 years they are rare in infant and the aged.
Keloids are especially seen in black Africans, Mongoloids the Chinese and Japanese. Women are more likely to be affected, with lesions occuring or getting worse during pregnancy.
The hypertrophic scars, there is an increase in the mast cells. The epidemis is normal or thinned by the underlying lesion. Biochemical studies confirm that collagen and proteoglycan synthesis is increased in keloids hypertrophic scars.
Immunohistochemical studies have shown that neuropeptide containing nerves are present in hypertrophic scars but not in non hypertrophic scars and these may contribute to the symptoms of discomfort and itching in such scars.
They can occur anywhere in the body but are usually seen on the limbs, earlobes, neck, shoulders, upper back, or chest. Spontaneous keloids usually develop on the presternal region or upper chest. Keloids are often multiple varying in size and number.
In both the condition the lesions become firm pink or red eleveted and thickned within 3/4 weeks of the stimulus. These may keep growing for months or years usually dumbbell shaped contour or an irregular lesion with claw like projections. The skin surface over the lesion is smooth shiny and thinned from pressure.
Diagnosis is easy with biopsy and history of trauma or an inflammatory skin lesion.
A few Carcinomatous lesions may be confused with keloids in the initial stages.
Treatment individuals who are susceptible to the formation of keloids should be wary of any suspicious wound or burn and get it Treated properly. Also unwanted surgery should be avoided in order to prevent the occurrence of scar formation.
Homoeopathic Remedies like Thuja, Sycotic_CO Graphites, Calc flour, Calc Carb, Lapis Alb, Epihysterinum, Aurum mur Nat, Carcinosinum,Vaccinum, have been very useful to me for the same
Majority of Homoeopaths give some local application to which I strongly disagree. The remedy has to be repeated frequently. It is safe to start on a LM scale then gradually going higher till you reach the highest potency.
Dr Kishin Mulchandani