What will happen if hypertrophic scars are not treated?

Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Hypertrophic scars are actually related to individual constitution. This condition mainly occurs due to scarring following an injury, which leads to excessive growth of scar tissue. As long as there are no inflammatory changes, generally, hypertrophic scars do not cause any problems. However, some hypertrophic scars may develop into malignant lesions, particularly in areas that are easily stimulated, such as the soles of the feet or the armpits. If a hypertrophic scar persists and the area is continually stimulated, it may lead to changes in the scar, which, in severe cases, could even become malignant. In such situations, it is crucial to manage the condition promptly based on the specific circumstances. Safe treatment measures usually involve techniques such as laser surgery.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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How to eliminate hypertrophic scars?

For the elimination of hypertrophic scars, one can apply anti-scarring ointment to the surface early after surgery. If the patient indeed has a scarring constitution, at the end of the surgery, it is advisable to inject medications into the subcutaneous area or within the wound tissue to prevent excessive or abnormal scar proliferation. If necessary, radiotherapy can be applied; under the effect of X-rays, it can effectively prevent the abnormal proliferation of scar tissue and the abnormal and excessive growth of fibroblasts. If there is already hypertrophic scarring, one might consider excising the hypertrophied scar tissue and re-suturing the wound.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can keloids be cured?

Once keloids appear, they are essentially irreversible, meaning that they cannot be completely cured clinically. The formation of keloids is mostly related to one's own constitution, such as a keloid-prone skin type. Some keloids are also due to trauma occurring in areas of the skin where muscular tension is relatively high, or where the wound is indeed large and deep, which might lead to the formation of keloids. In such cases, localized drug injections can be used to reduce and soften the keloids. One can also use ointments that soften scars, such as keloid soothing and softening cream, but these require long-term application to be effective. If the keloid is relatively small, cosmetic surgery to remove and re-sew the area can also be an option for treatment. In summary, once keloids have developed, they are not easy to completely cure.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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The difference between hypertrophic scars and keloids

In a strict sense, hypertrophic scars and keloids are similar in their pathogenesis. For hypertrophic scars, the typical presentation is localized overgrowth at the scar site, which means that there is an overgrowth during the wound healing process, resulting in a relatively large and numerous scar. Keloids represent a more severe condition where there is a localized raised scar on the wound, which can be significantly large, sometimes resembling a bug on the surface of the scar. They are more likely to occur in areas like the neck, behind the ears, and under the earlobes. For the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids, if the patient has a predisposition to scarring, considerations include early intervention during wound suturing and healing, such as injection of medications or radiation therapy.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can ear piercing caused keloids be cured?

After getting ear piercings, some patients may develop keloids, which could be related to individual body reactions. Some cases are due to a person's scar constitution. First, the size of the keloid should be examined. If the keloid is small and does not show obvious growth, it is generally considered appropriate to observe and regularly re-examine the growth. However, if the keloid is large and gradually increasing in size, surgical removal should be considered. After surgery, superficial radiotherapy is recommended to help prevent recurrence. However, it is typically necessary to have regular follow-ups post-surgery, as some patients are prone to recurrence.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to remove keloids?

The formation of keloids is largely related to one's inherent scarring constitution. Some patients are not prone to keloids but can still develop them due to particularly deep or large wounds. Additionally, keloids can form on the chest or shoulders after repeated occurrences of folliculitis. Currently, there are not many treatments for keloids. For larger keloids, medication can be used locally to gradually soften and reduce their size. For smaller areas, cosmetic surgical methods can be employed for removal, although this does not guarantee prevention of recurrence. Once keloids appear, they are mostly irreversible. If the keloid grows rapidly, treatment can also be sought at nuclear medicine departments, where nuclear radiation therapy is used.