Keloid removal Frankfurt

What is a keloid?

A keloid is an abnormal proliferation of scar tissue. In contrast to normal Scars a keloid grows beyond the boundaries of the original wound and can continue to enlarge - even after the wound has healed.

Keloids are often thick, raised and have a fairly smooth surface. They can take on different colours and appear pink, dark red or brown. These scars are usually not painful, but can be itchy or uncomfortable.

What are the causes of keloids?

Keloids are caused by an excessive production of collagen during the healing process after a skin injury. Several factors can contribute to their development:

Genetic predisposition

People with a family history of keloids have a higher risk of developing them themselves. This means that certain genetic markers can increase susceptibility.

Type of injury

Keloids can develop after various skin injuries, including surgical cuts, burns, acne, vaccinations, piercings, tattoos and insect bites.

Hormonal influences

Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during puberty, pregnancy or when taking hormone replacement therapy, can also favour the formation of keloids.

Age

Keloids occur more frequently in younger people between the ages of 10 and 30. Statistically speaking, children and older people have a lower risk.

Inflammations and infections

Inflammation or infection during the healing process can increase the risk of keloid formation.

Areas of the body where keloids can occur

Keloids often develop where the skin is exposed to increased tension or is frequently injured. Typical areas are

Chest

Keloids can develop on the breastbone, for example. This is due to the fact that the skin here is under tension.

Shoulders

In some cases, injuries or cuts in this area tend to develop keloids. This can also be caused by the mobility and tension of the skin.

Back

The upper back in particular is prone to keloids - often after acne breakouts.

Earlobes

Keloids can easily develop here after piercings.

Neck

Both the front and the back of the neck can be affected.

Jaws and cheeks

Acne or injuries in this area can promote keloids.

Poor

In some patients, these spherical growths develop after an injury, for example.

Knees and legs

Injuries caused by cuts or surgery can cause keloids.

Why do keloids occur particularly often on the ears?

Keloids often form on the ears, mainly for the following reasons:

Frequent injuries due to piercings

Earlobes and other parts of the ear are frequently pierced. These small injuries can promote the formation of keloids, especially if the healing process is not optimal.

Thin skin and poor circulation

The skin on the ears is relatively thin and has a lower blood supply compared to other parts of the body. This can affect healing and promote the formation of excess scar tissue.

Inflammations and infections

The pierced area can easily become inflamed. An infection or persistent inflammation during the healing process can increase scarring. This increases the risk of keloid formation.

Manipulation and irritation

Frequent touching or manipulation of the ear jewellery during healing can irritate the wound and promote keloid formation.

Keloid removal Frankfurt: How we treat the tissue overgrowth

In our ENT clinic in Frankfurt we can help you if you have a keloid scar and would like to have it treated permanently. We use a multimodal therapy concept consisting of injection therapy, cold therapy and a minor surgical procedure in which we remove the excess tissue. The treatment proceeds as follows:

Counselling and examination

In the first step, we will examine you carefully and talk to you about your medical history and any previous treatments. You will also receive detailed information about the treatment and therapy concept, possible risks and the expected healing process. The treatment concept will be adapted to the size and localisation of the keloid as well as your individual medical history and aesthetic expectations.

Pre-treatment

You will receive cold and injection therapy in the affected area at 2-4 appointments at intervals of 3-4 weeks.

Cutting and removal

After appropriate pre-treatment, the keloid can be removed in our practice with a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. To do this, we make a precise incision around the excess scar tissue. We carefully and gently remove it. We take care not to damage the surrounding tissue. Once we have removed the keloid, we suture the wound. We use a special technique to minimise the tension on the skin. This also minimises the risk of keloid regrowth.

Aftercare

After the procedure, you will receive instructions on wound care. We will also arrange follow-up appointments. This allows us to monitor the healing process and recognise signs of renewed keloid growth at an early stage. Surgical removal is often followed by another 2-4 appointments at intervals of 3-4 weeks, during which you will again receive cold and injection therapy in the affected area. To be on the safe side, we send the removed tissue for histological examination. In this way, we can ensure that it is actually a keloid scar.

Keloid removal Frankfurt: possibility of further treatment with steroid injections

At our ENT clinic in Frankfurt, we not only remove keloids, we can also do something to prevent them from recurring at best. Steroid injections in the affected area are a proven method for the follow-up treatment of removed keloids - for several reasons:

Inhibition of collagen production

Keloids are caused by excessive production of collagen in the scar tissue. Steroids, especially corticosteroids, inhibit the activity of fibroblasts, which are responsible for the production of collagen. This reduces the formation of excessive scar tissue.

Anti-inflammatory effect

In addition, steroids have strong anti-inflammatory properties. As inflammation plays a decisive role in the formation and growth of keloids, the prevention or treatment of inflammation is an important therapeutic approach.

Alleviation of itching and pain

The spherical tissue growths are not only aesthetically disturbing, but can also be itchy and painful. Steroid injections can alleviate these symptoms by reducing the inflammatory reaction and the associated discomfort.

Keloid removal with Dr Linke from the Goethe10 practice clinic in Frankfurt

Your attending physician in our ENT clinic in Frankfurt is Dr Albrecht Linke. As a specialist in ear, nose and throat medicine with an additional qualification in plastic surgery, he has extensive experience in the treatment of keloids. He completed his specialist training at the renowned Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Frankfurt University Hospital. Dr Linke uses modern techniques and offers a combination of surgical intervention and follow-up treatments with cortisone injections to achieve optimal results.

The ENT practice clinic Goethe10 is known for its high level of expertise and patient-orientated care.