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Are there any prescription treatments for keloids?

A keloid is an area of scar tissue that forms following skin damage such as burns, scratches, surgery, and cases of severe acne. Keloids extend beyond the margins of the injury and are most common on the upper back, shoulders, and chest but may occur on any area of the body.

Doctors may inject corticosteroids into keloids to flatten them, or perform minor surgery, laser surgery, or cryotherapy (freezing) to flatten or remove these scars. Treatment of keloids depends on their size and location. Doctors may also recommend applying self-adhesive silicone gel sheets, which may be useful in reducing the height and color of keloids.

Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is effective for flattening keloids in up to 70 percent of people. Surgical removal is also very effective, but many people will have a reoccurrence of the keloid following surgery. Injecting steroid medicines directly into the keloids following surgery can help prevent their recurrence.

Alternative therapies and over-the-counter silicon sheeting may also help to reduce or remove keloids.

Sources:
Habif, Thomas. Clinical Dermatology. Mosby-Year Book Inc., 1996.
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. William Morrow & Co., 1996.
Berman, B. "Keloids," Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (July 1995).
Chuangsuwanich A Self-adhesive silicone gel sheet: a treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Journal of Medical Association Thai April 2000.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2006.

This answer prepared 11/30/2000.
This information updated 2/7/2007.