What is a keloid?

A keloid is a growth made of scar tissue. There are two types: spontaneous and traumatic.

The spontaneous type occurs most often on the chest, shoulders or back and appear as an irregular shaped, hard, red, brown or white growth. The cause is not known. Darker skin has a higher tendency to develop keloids.

The traumatic keloid can occur after trauma, such as a burn, cut or surgery. It looks exactly like the spontaneous keloid and again the cause is unknown. Only a small percentage (about 1%) of people develop keloids. Activity (and growth) in a keloid almost always shows itself as a red color and itchiness. When there is itching and redness, the keloid may be growing.