Keloid and irritation bump are two types of scars that occur due to a skin injury. A scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound or other injury. There are different types of scars such as normal fine-line scars, keloid scars, irritation bumps, pitted or sunken scars and scar contractures.
The key difference between keloid and irritation bump is their degree of spreading around the wound area. Keloid is red to purple in colour and extends beyond the wound area, while irritation bump is a type of scar that is pink to red in colour and stays within the wound area.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Keloid
3. What is Irritation Bump
4. Similarities – Keloid and Irritation Bump
5. Keloid vs Irritation Bump in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Keloid vs Irritation Bump
7. FAQ – Keloid and Irritation Bump
What is Keloid?
Keloid is a type of scar that comes from the overgrowth of scar tissue. Generally, keloid scars are larger than the original wound area. The symptoms of keloid scar include a localized area that is flesh-coloured, pink, or red, a lumpy or ridged area of the skin, an area that continues to grow larger with scar tissue over time, and an itchy patch of skin. The skin injuries that can contribute to keloid scar development include acne scars, burns, chicken pox, ear piercing, scratches, surgical incision sites, and vaccination sites.
Keloid can be diagnosed through medical history and physical examination. Furthermore, keloid scars can be treated through silicone pads, pressure dressings, or injections of corticosteroids combined with botulinum toxin type A injections or corticosteroids combined with chemo drug 5-fluorouracil and laser therapy.
What is an Irritation Bump?
An irritation bump is a thick raised scar that does not extend beyond the wound area in the skin. It develops as an abnormal response to trauma such as burns, piercing, etc. The risk factors may include systemic inflammation, poor wound healing, and genetics. The signs and symptoms of an irritation bump include hard or thickened raised tissue over the wound site, pink to red to purple skin color over the wound site, a scar that most commonly appears on the upper trunk, a scar that develops after one to two months of injury, a scar that causes irritation, itching, tenderness, and pain, and scars on the joint area that may limit the joint’s normal movement.
Irritation bumps can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, irritation bumps can be treated by applying silicone gel, moist dressing with a pressure garment, corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, bleomycin or 5-Fu (fluotouracil) injection, cryotherapy and surgery.
Similarities Between Keloid and Irritation Bump
- Keloid and irritation bumps are two types of scars occurring due to injuries to the skin.
- Both scars are due to abnormal production of collagen.
- They are raised scars.
- Both scars can be diagnosed through physical examination.
- They can be treated through corticosteroid injections, chemical injections, and laser therapy.
Difference Between Keloid and Irritation Bump
Definition
- A keloid is a type of scar that extends beyond the original wound area.
- An irritation bump is a scar that stays within the wound area.
Color
- Keloids typically have a red to purple color.
- Irritation bumps usually have a pink to red color.
Found in
- Keloids can be found in both taut and less taut skin areas.
- Irritation bumps are more common in taut skin areas.
Arrangement of Collagen
- In keloids, collagen fibers are arranged in a random or disorganized way.
- In irritation bumps, collagen fibers are arranged parallel to the upper skin layer or epidermis.
Time to Develop
- Keloids develop months to years after a skin injury.
- Irritation bumps develop one to two months after a skin injury.
Ease of Treatment
- Keloids are hard to treat.
- Irritation bumps are easier to treat.
Resolution
- Keloids do not go away without treatment.
- Irritation bumps may become less noticeable with time.
The following table summarizes the difference between keloid and irritation bump.
Summary – Keloid vs Irritation Bump
Keloid and irritation bumps are two types of scars. Both occur due to skin injuries and abnormal collagen production. However, keloid is a result of the overgrowth of scar tissue that extends beyond the wound area in the skin while irritation bump is a thick raised scar that stays within the wound area in the skin. This is the summary of the difference between keloid and irritation bump.
FAQ: Keloid and Irritation Bump
1. What causes a keloid?
- A keloid scar occurs when a scar keeps growing and becomes bigger than the original wound. It can happen due to the overproduction of collagen in the body. It is usually caused by skin injury such as a cut, burn, surgery, acne, or a body piercing.
2. Can a keloid disappear by itself?
- Keloid scars never completely disappear without treatment by a health practitioner. Once people have had one keloid scar, people are likely to have another. They are scars that are hard to be treated. Therefore, these scars should be treated by a qualified dermatologist.
3. How does one get rid of keloids?
- The doctor might recommend a combination of corticosteroid and chemical injections and laser therapy to get rid of keloid scars. Larger keloids can be flattened by pulsed-dye laser therapy sessions.
4. Can irritation bumps go away?
- Irritation bump can become less noticeable over time. It is usually red or pink. But you should always seek treatment from a specialist like a dermatologist to get the best results.
5. How does one treat an irritation bump?
- Irritation bumps can be treated through salt or saline soaks, chamomile soaks, pressure, jewellery swap, applying silicone gel, corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, and topical creams.1
Reference:
1.“Keloid Scar.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Diagnose my skin thingy” By Neven Mrgan (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr
2. “Keloid-Face Semi Flat, Facial Keloid” By Htirgan – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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