Help for Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Related Scars

[This article on Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Related Scars started yesterday.]

Hypertrophic scars are raised areas of excess collagen (produced during the healing process) which stay confined to the area of the wound. Hypertrophic scars may subside spontaneously over the course of a year or more. The process can be speeded up by a series of cortisone injections.

Keloids tend to extend and migrate beyond the initial wound site. This tendency to migrate is what distinguishes keloids from hypertrophic scars. They can also arise spontaneously where no surface wound was observed.

The golf ball size of your raised scar suggests it is keliod in nature, though you didn’t mention pain or itching which usually accompanies keloids.

Keloids are more difficult to treat because people who have them are likely to develop more – often in response to the very treatment process. See a board certified physician. Ask a lot of questions and do your own research before undergoing any treatment.

Current methods used to treat keloid scars include:

• Cortisone shots
• Surgery – considered risky for keloids by many experts, but still used
• Pulsed-dye laser
• Dermabrasion
• Silicone sheets
• Cryotherapy or freezing
• Interferon injections
• Fluorouracil injections – a small per cent of the population is not able to metabolize this drug due to a genetic deficiency (DPD or Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency). There is a test to screen for DPD.
• Radiation

I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but I wish you good luck in getting a diagnosis and effective course of treatment.

Regards,
Jean

Tags: postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, keloid treatment, acne scar treatment, skin needling, acne scarring, hypertrophic scar treatment

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