Introduction
Any injury, minor or major cold, results in scar tissue at times. These scar tissues are of different types depending on the composition of cells that contribute to the scar. Keloid is an example of fibrous scar tissue that may result in the overgrowth of tissues over the scar, which could cause inconvenience to the patients. Ear keloids specifically affect individuals who undergo ear piercing. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment help with a better prognosis.
What Is Keloid on Ear?
A keloid is a type of scar tissue, that occurs on the ears after an injury. The scar tissue may be fibrous and may extend beyond the injured ear site. It may occur anywhere on the ear, which includes earlobes and cartilage behind the ears. It is generally caused due to ear piercing, as it is the most common type of ear injury. Removing keloids is quite challenging as they may often grow back and has higher chances of recurrence. Using a combination of multiple types of treatment may help improve the chances of permanent keloid removal.
Who Are Commonly Affected by Ear Keloids?
Generally, the keloid may affect anyone from children to adults, especially individuals who have undergone ear piercing. The chances of acquiring keloid are higher in the following cases.
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Individuals from Asian or Hispanic populations.
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Individuals with a family history of keloid.
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Individuals with ear piercing.
How Does Ear Keloid Affect the Body?
Ear keloids are usually confined to a particular area and are not distributed in different body parts. These keloids may not usually hurt, however, the affected individuals may experience discomfort and itchiness. Some might also complain of tenderness as the keloids keep growing. Rubbing keloids against any object or clothes may cause irritation.
Most people with ear keloids may feel self-conscious. And insecure about their appearance. Some may also experience emotional stress, anxiety, and depression.
What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Keloid?
The symptoms of ear keloid may vary with each individual. Keloids take about three to twelve months to become noticeable. They may feel different compared to their surrounding skin. Keloids are soft or firm, and rubbery. Some appear shiny, smooth, and darker in comparison to the surrounding skin.
Larger ear keloids may cover the entire surface area of the ear, whereas smaller keloids may appear an inch above the skin. The commonly occurring symptoms noticed in patients with keloids are mentioned below
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Itchy.
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Discoloration.
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Tenderness.
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Darker in color as keloid grows.
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Round or irregularly shaped.
What Are the Common Factors Contributing to Ear Keloid?
Ear keloids may generally occur due to ear piercing. Some of the common factors contributing to ear keloid are:
Are Ear Keloids Contagious?
Most ear keloids are non-contagious as they are not caused due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They are a form of scar tissue that occurs after an injury. Most keloids may require surgical intervention to completely excise the mass. However, the chance of recurrence could be higher even with surgical intervention. Hence it is important to follow up post-treatment to avoid unnecessary recurrence or complications.
How Is Ear Keloid Diagnosed?
Diagnosing ear keloids is a simple and easy task. A thorough physical examination is done by the healthcare professional to identify the extent of the scar tissue and also to look for any infection. It will take only a few minutes to examine the keloid before confirming the diagnosis.
In a few cases, when the healthcare professional is doubtful about the diagnosis, a skin biopsy may be suggested. Biopsy is a diagnostic procedure, in which a tissue sample is removed from the site and examined for signs and symptoms. This helps to confirm the diagnosis and aids in appropriate treatment.
How to Get Rid of Ear Keloid?
The healthcare professional may suggest a suitable option that will help an individual recover from keloid on the ear. It could be via medications or surgical procedures, which are ultimately targeted to get rid of the keloid. Some of the methods to treat keloids are suggested below
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Corticosteroids - These are drugs that help to decrease the inflammatory reaction at the injured site. A small needle is used by the healthcare professional to inject corticosteroids into the keloid. The injection is scheduled every four to six weeks. Usually, it may take approximately four injections to show changes in the form and size of the keloid. Then it gradually decreases in size. A few side effects like thinning of the skin and dilation of blood vessels in the injected site are experienced by the patients undergoing treatment.
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Cryotherapy - It is the method of applying extreme cold to freeze abnormal tissues. Several cryotherapy sessions may be required to completely remove the keloid.
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Laser Treatment - Laser treatments help to remove keloids, by using an intense beam of light to destroy the abnormal tissue. It also helps treat precancers on the body surface and is known to have less scar tissue formation.
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Ligature - A surgical thread is tightly tied around the base of the keloid and is replaced every two to three weeks until the keloid naturally falls off.
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Surgery - A surgical knife with a thin blade is used to remove the ear keloid. If the ear keloid is small in size, the healthcare professional may inject a local anesthetic agent that numbs the ears and carefully removes the keloid. In the case of large keloids, a dermatologist will perform the procedure in an operating room. General anesthesia may be given in such cases.
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Pressure Earrings - These earrings apply pressure in the ear lobe to reduce the blood flow, which prevents the keloid’s overgrowth. Pressure earrings may cause discomfort and have to be worn for approximately sixteen hours daily for six to twelve months for better effects.
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Radiation Therapy - It is usually done after the surgical removal of the keloid. Strong radiation is used to ensure no recurrence. Although it requires several treatments, it is very effective.
Conclusion
Keloids are scar tissue that may result in abnormal growth of tissues. Ear keloids are usually painless, but may cause irritation and discomfort to the affected individuals. Ear piercing majorly contributed to keloid formation. Various treatment modalities ranging from medications to surgery help with better outcomes. However, there are higher chances of recurrence, hence it has to be followed up regularly to lead a quality life.
