A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that occurs at the site of a skin injury. They often form after acne, chickenpox, ear piercings, burns, surgical cuts or other wounds. Keloids can grow larger than the original wound and even expand beyond it. They tend to be thick, rubbery lesions that may protrude out. Keloids don’t usually disappear on their own and can be itchy or painful. Some people are more prone to getting keloids, especially those with darker skin tones. While not dangerous, keloids can be disfiguring and impact a person’s self-confidence. As such, people often want to know how to get rid of keloids or prevent them from getting bigger. A common question is whether putting ice on keloids can help minimize or remove them.
Quick Answers
– Putting ice directly on a keloid is not recommended as it can damage the skin. However, cryotherapy which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze lesions can help flatten keloids when performed by a dermatologist.
– Ice therapy may temporarily reduce pain, inflammation and itchiness associated with keloids. But it doesn’t make keloids go away permanently.
– Ice should not be put directly on keloids as this can cause frostbite which further damages skin. Wrap ice in a towel or cloth before application. Limit contact to 10 minutes at a time.
– While icing keloids at home provides temporary relief, medical procedures like cryotherapy, steroid injections or laser therapy are more effective long-term options for minimizing the appearance and recurrence of keloids.
Using Ice Therapy on Keloids
Putting ice cubes or an ice pack on keloids will mainly provide symptomatic relief rather than treat the condition itself. Icing can temporarily:
– Reduce pain and tenderness
– Lessen redness and inflammation
– Soothe itchiness
The cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, slowing down blood flow to the keloid which helps diminish these symptoms. However, this is a temporary effect and does not mean that the keloid is shrinking in size. Once you stop icing, the symptoms will likely return.
Here are some tips on using ice therapy properly and safely on keloids:
– Wrap ice in a thin towel or cloth – Do not put ice directly on skin as it can cause ice burn and frostbite which can further damage skin.
– Apply for 5-10 minutes at a time – Longer contact with ice can harm skin.
– Allow skin to return to normal temperature before re-icing – This prevents frostbite.
– Use a bag of frozen vegetables or gel pack – This conforms better to the shape of the keloid versus an ice cube.
– Try icing after activities that aggravate keloids – For instance, if heat and friction from exercising makes your keloids hurt more, you can ice them afterwards for relief.
– Consult your doctor first – Make sure icing is appropriate, especially if you have circulation issues or certain skin conditions.
While icing keloids at home may help temporarily, it is not a cure or removal method. The lesions will remain once the ice is removed. Icing also does not prevent the formation of new keloids or stop existing ones from growing larger. More effective keloid treatments are needed to achieve long-lasting improvement.
Medical Treatments for Minimizing Keloids
A variety of medical procedures are available if you want to permanently minimize the appearance and size of keloids or prevent recurrence after surgical removal. Some options include:
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen to freeze lesions. It destroys the abnormal scar tissue which then sloughs off over 1-2 months. Results are visible after a few weeks. Cryotherapy helps flatten and shrink keloids. It may also prevent regrowth, although repeat treatments are sometimes needed. This is an in-office procedure performed by a dermatologist.
Corticosteroid injections
These injections deliver steroids directly into the keloid which helps shrink the scar tissue and flatten lesions. Steroids reduce inflammation and abnormal collagen production. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area first. Several rounds of injections may be done over weeks or months to improve keloids. Results are temporary so ongoing injections are often required to maintain results.
Laser therapy
Lasers generate targeted beams of light that remove scar tissue layer by layer. This can help reduce the size and thickness of keloids. Laser therapy sometimes causes keloids to turn lighter in color as well. There are different types of lasers used. Multiple treatments are usually needed for optimal results.
Radiation
This involves delivery of radiation to the keloid site to disrupt abnormal tissue growth. Different types of radiation like electron beam therapy and brachytherapy can be used. Radiation helps shrink lesions and prevent recurrence. Due to potential side effects, radiation is usually reserved for severe, recurrent keloids that do not respond to other treatments.
Surgery
Surgical removal is often followed by other scar prevention treatments like radiation or steroid injections. This prevents the keloid from simply growing back which occurs in up to 80% of cases. Surgery alone does not keep keloids from returning.
Discuss your options with a dermatologist to decide which treatment or combination of treatments is right for your keloids. While home icing may provide minor relief, medical procedures offer longer lasting improvement in the appearance and symptoms of keloids for most patients.
Risks of Putting Ice on Keloids
While icing keloids can help temporarily reduce symptoms like pain and itch, this home remedy does come with some risks:
Frostbite
Putting ice directly against skin can damage cells and cause frostbite. This occurs when skin freezes from extended cold contact. Frostbite on keloids could worsen scarring. Signs of frostbite include numbness, stinging, redness, blisters or peeling skin.
Nerve damage
Extreme cold from ice can injure nerves. This may exacerbate any nerve-related pain if nerves are already impacted by the keloid. Damaged nerves might also interfere with future keloid treatments.
Blood vessel constriction
While icing does constrict blood vessels to provide symptom relief, reduced blood flow over time deprives cells of oxygen. This could negatively impact healing, especially after procedures like cryotherapy or surgery.
Uncertainty of effects
There is limited research on icing specifically for keloids. Thus, the effects and safety are not well established. There may be unknown risks of icing keloids at home versus medical cryotherapy.
To avoid risks, use ice safely by wrapping in cloth, icing for limited periods of time and consulting your doctor first. Also, do not rely solely on icing as it does not remove or minimize keloids long-term. Get properly treated keloids for optimal improvement in their appearance and associated symptoms.
Other Home Remedies
In addition to icing, some other home remedies may help temporarily relieve keloid discomfort:
– Aloe vera gel – The cooling and anti-inflammatory effects may reduce pain, redness and itching when applied to keloids.
– Apple cider vinegar – Contains acetic acid which may help prevent keloid collagen production and growth when applied topically.
– Compression wraps – Wrapping keloids helps flatten lesions and can reduce pain. Silicone sheets also provide compression.
– Moisturizer – Helps hydrate keloids which may alleviate itchiness. Look for lotions containing soothing ingredients like vitamin E, rosehip oil or shea butter.
– Pain medication – Over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve discomfort if keloids are painful.
However, these home remedies only provide temporary, mild improvement and do not treat the underlying cause of keloids or remove existing scar tissue. Their long-term efficacy and safety are also uncertain compared to medical treatments. It’s best to view home remedies as complementary options that may bring some relief while you are waiting to have keloids properly treated.
Preventing Keloids with OTC Products
To potentially prevent keloids from forming after an injury, you can apply certain over-the-counter (OTC) products. Using them immediately post-injury and for a few months after may disrupt the wound healing process enough to avoid excessive scar tissue formation.
Some OTC options include:
– Silicone gel sheets or ointments – Silicone hydrates skin and flattens raised scars, which may prevent keloids from worsening.
– Adhesive bandages coated with hydrocolloids – These provide a moist environment that promotes cell regeneration while protecting wounds.
– Onion extract gels or creams – Onion extract reduces inflammatory chemicals that lead to scarring.
– OTC scar creams – Look for creams containing ingredients like vitamin E, aloe, licorice extract, hydrocortisone, etc. These have soothing properties.
– Sunscreen – Sun exposure can worsen scarring. Use SPF 30 or higher on healing wounds.
However, OTC products cannot guarantee keloid prevention, especially in those prone to excessive scarring. Medical treatments or procedures may still be needed. Consult a dermatologist to assess your risk for keloids before an elective skin procedure like surgery or piercing. With their input, appropriate keloid prevention measures can be taken.
When to See a Doctor
While icing and other home remedies may temporarily help manage discomfort from keloids, it’s important to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. You should schedule an appointment if:
– A skin lesion becomes significantly raised, grows larger or spreads beyond the original injury site – this indicates a potential keloid that requires treatment
– You have a family history of keloids and are prone to excessive scarring
– A keloid becomes painful, itchy or inflamed, worsening your symptoms
– OTC treatments and home remedies do not improve your keloid after 1-2 months of use
– A new injury on your body is at risk for developing a keloid (ear piercings, surgical cuts, etc.) and you want to discuss prevention strategies
– You want to pursue cryotherapy, steroid injections or other medical procedures to remove/minimize the keloid
With customized medical treatment, keloids can be flattened and shrunk significantly. This provides both functional and cosmetic improvement. While icing keloids may bring minor relief, working with a dermatologist is essential for treating the root cause and altering the scar’s long-term appearance and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can putting ice on a keloid make it bigger?
Putting ice directly on keloids is not recommended as this can damage skin and worsen scarring. However, icing is unlikely to make keloids grow significantly larger on its own. The core issue is that icing only provides temporary relief and does not shrink or remove scar tissue. Keloids will remain untreated unless properly addressed with medical procedures.
Will icing keloids reduce swelling?
Icing can temporarily reduce inflammation, including any swelling associated with keloids. It constricts blood vessels which limits fluid leakage into tissues. However, once icing stops, the swelling will likely return. Icing does not fix the underlying problem causing fluid buildup and inflammation.
Can I ice a new keloid?
It is not advisable to ice new, untreated keloids as this will not prevent continued growth. Limit icing to keloids that are already fully formed and stable in size. Even then, icing should only provide minor symptomatic relief and not replace medical treatment altogether.
Is it safe to ice a keloid after surgery?
Ice is generally not recommended immediately after keloid surgery as this may constrict blood flow needed for proper healing. Follow your surgeon’s directions on scar care post-procedure. Once healed, icing in moderation may offer some temporary relief if the keloid remains tender or itchy.
How long should I ice a keloid for?
Only ice for 5-10 minutes at a time. Any longer may damage skin and cause frostbite. Allow skin to return to normal temperature before reapplication. Do not continuously ice keloids all day. Limit to a few icing sessions daily as needed for short-term symptom relief.
Conclusion
Icing keloids may temporarily reduce pain, inflammation and itchiness which provides some home relief. However, it does not treat keloids long-term or resolve them altogether. Putting ice directly on skin also risks frostbite and further damage. Remember to wrap ice properly before application. Additionally, consider more proven medical treatments like cryotherapy, steroid injections or laser therapy for substantial, permanent improvement in keloid scarring. With the right approach, keloids can be minimized without putting skin at risk of harm from improper home icing. Consult a dermatologist to explore your options.