Understanding Keloids on the Eyelid
Keloids can occur anywhere on the body, including delicate areas like the eyelid. For some people, these abnormal scars that grow beyond the original injury site can cause physical irritation and emotional distress. Learning more about what keloids are, why they form on the eyelid, and treatment options can help those affected manage this condition.
What Are Keloids?
Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that occur at the site of an injury, such as a cut, burn, or piercing. Unlike normal scars, keloids grow larger than the original wound and can expand over time. They often appear raised, rounded, shiny, and reddish-purple in color.
Keloids tend to affect people between the ages of 10 and 30 years old. They can run in families and are more common in those with darker skin tones. While keloids can form anywhere, they frequently develop on the upper body, including the shoulders, chest, back, and earlobes.
Why Do Keloids Form on the Eyelid?
The eyelid skin is extremely thin and delicate, making it vulnerable to injury and subsequent scar overgrowth. Causes of eyelid keloids include:
- Minor cuts or scratches
- Piercings of the eyelid or nearby cartilage
- Inflammation from skin conditions like acne or eczema
- Surgical procedures such as blepharoplasty or mole removal
- Forceful rubbing or scratching of the eyelid
Genetics also play a role. Those predisposed to keloids elsewhere have an increased risk of abnormal scarring on the eyelid after trauma.
Symptoms of Keloids on the Eyelid
Keloids on the delicate eyelid skin can cause several symptoms:
- Appearance. A rounded, smooth growth that expands beyond the original injury site. Often reddish-purple when newly formed.
- Pain. A constant, prickling irritation or burning sensation. Pain typically increases with keloid size.
- Itching. The urge to rub or scratch the eyelid, which can worsen the keloid.
- Vision changes. Blurred vision, dry eyes, or discomfort from keloid pressure on the eyeball.
- Emotional distress. Those with visible facial keloids may experience social anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Eyelid Keloids
Seeing a dermatologist promptly can help diagnose keloids accurately on the eyelid to guide proper treatment. With an expert's care, keloids can often be managed successfully.
Medical Diagnosis
During an exam, the dermatologist evaluates for typical keloid features like size, shape, surface texture, and color. They may ask about:
- Appearance and growth rate of the lesion
- Family history of abnormal scarring
- Recent cuts, scratches, piercings, or surgery on the eyelid
- Extent of symptoms like pain and itching
Sometimes a skin biopsy is done to confirm it is an actively growing keloid rather than another eyelid skin condition.
Keloid Treatment Options for the Eyelid
With early, aggressive treatment, keloids can often be stopped before they enlarge significantly. Multiple approaches are often combined for best results.
Corticosteroid Injections
Injecting the keloid with a corticosteroid like Kenalog reduces inflammation and stops excessive scar tissue formation. It helps flatten and soften the lesion. Multiple injections every 3-4 weeks are often needed but may cure smaller eyelid keloids.
Cryotherapy
Freezing the skin with liquid nitrogen kills the cells needed for keloid regrowth. It is less invasive than surgery but requires repetition, with treatment sessions every 3-6 weeks typically needed for eyelid keloids.
Laser Treatment
Vascular lasers target the blood vessels feeding the scar’s overgrowth without damaging nearby skin. Used alone or after surgery, lasers can help prevent recurrence of eyelid keloids.
Radiation
A very focused dose of radiation prevents the cells responsible for keloid scarring from multiplying further. It helps stabilize growth when used after surgical removal of the lesion.
Surgery
Cutting out the eyelid keloid is highly effective but does risk the scar recurring and growing larger. To prevent this, other treatments like corticosteroids or radiation are administered during the operation.
Medications
Oral drugs like chemotherapeutics or enzyme inhibitors may be prescribed to disrupt excessive collagen and other protein production underlying keloid growth.
Preventing Keloids on the Eyelid
Those prone to keloids can take proactive measures to avoid new abnormal scars developing on the eyelid.
Avoid Injury
Preventing cuts, scratches, and wounds to the delicate eyelid skin makes new keloids less likely. Be very gentle when applying eye makeup or washing the face. Carefully trim skin tags or moles instead of picking or pulling at them.
Treat Eyelid Infections
Promptly get medical care for styes, chalazia cysts, blepharitis, eczema, or acne affecting the eyelid. Reducing inflammation can prevent aggravated picking and scratching that precedes keloid formation.
Massage After Injury
Gently massaging the eyelid right after any trauma, even minor lid cuts or scratches, may help prevent overexuberant healing. Apply just enough pressure to stimulate blood flow without further damaging the skin.
Silicone Gel Sheets
Applying silicone gel pads or sheets help flatten and reduce existing eyelid keloids while also possibly limiting new scar growth.
Medical Follow-Up
Seeing a dermatologist promptly after eyelid injury allows quick treatment if any signs of a budding keloid develop. Early intervention prevents progression to an extensive lesion.
While frustrating, keloid scarring on the eyelid can often be successfully managed through various treatment methods. Understanding why abnormal scars form guides techniques to curb further unwanted growth while restoring comfort and appearance.
FAQs
What does a keloid on the eyelid look like?
An eyelid keloid is an abnormal raised scar that grows larger than the original injury site. It often appears rounded, smooth, shiny, and an intense reddish-purple color early on. Over time, eyelid keloids can become larger, thicker, paler, and harder.
Do eyelid keloids go away on their own?
No, without treatment eyelid keloids tend to progressively enlarge over the years. The abnormal scar tissue continues increasing collagen and blood vessel growth. Early medical treatment is necessary to halt progression and symptoms.
How fast do eyelid keloids grow?
The speed at which an eyelid keloid grows varies, but most enlarge over a period of weeks to months without intervention. Some may appear overnight after injury and rapidly expand to an extensive size over a few months.
Are eyelid keloid removals successful?
Surgically removing the eyelid keloid often successfully eliminates the lesion, especially when combined with adjunct therapies like steroid injections or radiation to prevent recurrence. Even large, longstanding eyelid keloids can be eradicated through an expert multi-step approach.
How can I prevent getting more eyelid keloids?
Avoiding cuts and scratches to the eyelids prevents new wounds that could spur keloid development. Promptly treating any lid inflammation or infection also reduces irritation and skin injury. Once a keloid forms, massaging after minor trauma may curb overzealous healing.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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