Keloid Scars: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Keloid Scars?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, usually diagnoses and treats keloid scars. A primary care doctor can also take a first look. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are keloid scars?
A keloid is a type of raised scar. Unlike other raised scars, a keloid grows much larger than the wound that caused it. Not everyone who gets a scar will develop a keloid.
A keloid is not contagious, and keloids do not turn into cancer.
Symptoms
The size and shape of keloids vary. On an earlobe, you will likely see a round, solid mass.
A keloid can feel uncomfortable, itchy, or painful. While a keloid is growing, it can cause pain or discomfort. The pain usually goes away when the keloid stops growing. If a keloid forms over a shoulder or other joint, it can limit how far you can move.
A keloid usually takes time to appear. Months can pass after a skin injury before the scar shows up. Once it begins, it tends to grow slowly for months or years. Unlike a hypertrophic scar, a keloid does not fade with time.
Causes and who gets it
Anything that causes skin to scar can cause a keloid in a person with keloid-prone skin. Researchers know that the body makes more collagen than it needs to heal the injured skin. That is why the scar grows bigger than the wound.
A keloid may form after:
- A body piercing, especially an ear piercing.
- Acne or chickenpox, on the face, chest, or back.
- A burn, cut, scrape, or bug bite.
- A tattoo.
- A wound from surgery, a procedure, or an injection.
People of all races get keloids, but Black people appear to have the greatest risk. People of Asian, Latin American, or Mediterranean descent are also more likely to get them. Genes play a part. Between 33% and 50% of people who get a keloid have at least one blood relative who gets keloids. In the United States, Black people between the ages of 10 and 30 have the greatest risk.
How doctors diagnose it
A dermatologist can usually diagnose a keloid by looking at it. Sometimes another skin condition looks like a keloid. For example, an allergic reaction to the gold in earrings can cause swelling that looks like one.
If it looks like another condition, the dermatologist can do a skin biopsy. The doctor numbs the area and removes a small amount of skin to look at under a microscope. You stay awake the whole time.
Treatment
No one treatment works best for all keloids. Dermatologists look at where the keloid is, its size, and how deeply it goes into the skin. Dermatologists often recommend more than one type of treatment, because keloids can be hard to get rid of and some return after treatment.
A treatment plan may include:
- Injections of corticosteroids, medicines that calm swelling, or another medicine. These help shrink the scar. Many keloids that shrink will regrow within five years.
- Surgery to cut out the keloid. Nearly 100% of keloids return after surgery alone, so most people have another treatment afterward.
- A pressure earring, dressing, or garment, often used after surgery. It must be worn 12 to 20 hours a day for several months, and a pressure earring tends to be easiest to wear.
- Silicone gel sheets, which may help flatten a keloid. Never put one on a scab or open wound.
- Freezing, called cryosurgery, which can reduce the hardness and size of a keloid. It works best on small keloids.
- Laser treatment, which can reduce the height of a keloid and fade its color.
- Radiation treatments, which can help prevent a keloid from growing back after another treatment such as surgery. Radiation can be hard on the skin.
No treatment can consistently get rid of a keloid, and no treatment always prevents a keloid from returning. If you have had one keloid, you can develop another in the future.
When to see a doctor
See a board-certified dermatologist if a scar keeps growing past the wound, hurts, itches, or limits how far you can move a joint. To reduce the look of a keloid, you need to treat it, because it will not fade on its own.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can examine a new scar, talk through your options, and help you reach a dermatologist.
Common questions
Do keloids go away on their own?
No, a keloid does not fade with time like some other scars. To reduce how it looks, you need to treat it.
Can a keloid turn into cancer?
No, keloids do not turn into cancer.
What is the difference between a keloid and a hypertrophic scar?
A keloid grows beyond the edges of the wound, while a hypertrophic scar stays within the wound. A keloid can take months to appear and keeps growing slowly. A hypertrophic scar appears one to two months after the injury and often becomes less noticeable with time.
Do keloids hurt?
Yes, keloids can hurt while they are growing. The pain usually goes away when the keloid stops growing, but on rare occasion a keloid stays tender and painful.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology - Keloid scars: Overview
- American Academy of Dermatology - Keloid scars: Diagnosis and treatment
- American Academy of Dermatology - Keloid scars: Causes
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
