keloid scar

Hi guys and girls,
Just wandering whether anyone else has developed a keloid scar over their pm.I have one even though I've never had a keloid scar in my life and I have had some surgery.Just wandering whether the skin on the chest is perhaps more susceptible to keloids than elsewhere on the body??? Your response will be appreciated.Thanks Chris

7 Comments

keloid

by daisy41763@yahoo.com - 2012-11-09 01:11:54

I didn't get any from my implant site. But, however when
I had my open heart in 2007 I did, at the bottem part.
Not at the top. Now its smoothed out over time you can't
Hardly see them. I'm getting a new icd on the 28th and I'm praying it looks as smooth as the last one. Its almost invisible now.

keloid

by novie - 2012-11-09 03:11:50

I have one myself and sore until now.
I'm not sure if I'm really susceptible to one but I did have a tiny one on my shoulder after a immunization shot back in the days...it's barely visible because I do have a brown skin (the exposed one)...I do have a fair complexion but I easily get brown when exposed to the sun (which I don't mind at all)!
Check out...how to treat keloid scars on eHow.com and it will give you some info.
I'm treating mine with Vitamin E oil at the moment since cortison did not help.
I don't really mind the scar...it's not the only one I have anyway...it's just a skin...I'm more concerned about my health.
I can honestly tell you that it's only bothering me because it still hurts esp. when the strap of my bra touches it..guess I have to get use to that one too...
I have my PM since May,2012
Novie

Yes! But, I Use Scar Make-Up.

by Many Blessings - 2012-11-09 09:11:45

I do form keloid scarring, especially on my chest. I have some on my open heart surgery scars (even from where the wires & chest tubes were) from 25 & 36 years ago, and also at my PM site from 7 months ago. I even still have them on my old heart cath sites from way back in the 60's when they made a 2-3 inch incisions in your arm by your armpit for cath procedures.

Believe me, I've tried everything, including laser to try and get mine to go away, and finally gave up and went to covering it up with make up (no oils, creams, magic cures, etc., helped at all, and I tried everything). There are several companies out there who sell special make up, just for this purpose. Google scar cover up, tattoo cover up, etc. to find any out there that you might want to try.

It's a two step process and I do it every day as part of my regular make up routine. You MUST use both the cream base foundation cover AND the finishing powder so that it is truly water-proof and smudge-roof. Otherwise, it just won't work. This way, it won't rub off on your clothes or anything or anyone that comes in contact with it.

I've used Dermablend, Linda Seidel, and Joe Blasco (the heavy cream foundation) with Linda Seidel or Dermablend finishing powder. There are more out there I haven't tried, but I suggest to try one of those. The mineral powder foundation they advertise on TV that is supposed to cover scars or birthmarks, just doesn't work (for me anyway) because it rubs off WAY too easily.

You'll need to mix and match colors to find the perfect cover, and ALWAYS finish it with the waterproof finishing powder (better to go lighter than darker). It stays on through anything! It's easy once you get the hang of it, but because it's such a heavy thick base foundation, it takes some getting used to. Most people don't even see my scars or know they're there. It's more expensive than regular foundation and powder, but lasts forever since you really don't need to use a lot. And, since it works, it's worth it! Feel free to contact me when you get some and I can help you with suggestions on how to apply it.

Best of luck!!!!!!!



Yes!

by vicki2806 - 2012-11-09 11:11:26

Yes, I got a keloid scar which developed following my pacemaker implant December 2008. I did some research and asked my GP to prescribe me silicone gel sheets for scar management. My scar went from being red, painful and ugly to being flat and faint. I wore the gel plaster for about 4 months. I recently had a replacement pacemaker and started to wear the gel sheets again as soon a my scar was closed together. Six weeks on it is looking fantastic.

In the UK the British Red Cross offers scar camouflage free of charge. You just need to be referred to them.

Regards

Vicki

Silicone Gel Sheets

by Many Blessings - 2012-11-09 11:11:33

That sounds great! I'd love to try them as well. Are they by prescription only? Does the Silicone Gel Sheets work on old scars too?

Keloid scar

by tcm - 2012-11-12 07:11:38

Thanks everyone for your fantastic responses.Id be interested in the silicone sheets I wander if they are sold in Australia,will google them.Thanks Tammy for your advise,I do use a coverup on days when it's visible.Thanks again everyone is very helpful.x

What the research says on Silicone Gel Sheets

by ldebaugh - 2012-11-12 10:11:01

Silicone gel sheeting in scar therapy.
It would be worth a try since it seems like you could buy them at the drugstore and few side effects.
M'Liz

Here's the abstract on the research:

Katz BE.
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of silicone gel sheeting in the treatment of fresh and long-standing hypertrophic and keloid scars. All subjects applied the gel sheeting in the same fashion and wore it for twelve to twenty-four hours per day for at least two months. After at least six months' follow-up, twenty of thirty-six (56 percent) chronic scars were improved. Eleven of fourteen fresh hypertrophic scars (79 percent) did not recur after surgery during a similar follow-up period. Side effects were minimal. Silicone gel sheeting is safe and effective treatment for hypertrophic and keloid scars. The mechanism of action is not completely understood.

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