Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for your question and welcome to EmpowHer.
There are additional treatments for keloids if the cortizone injections do not work. According to the Mayo Clinic, the additional treatments are available:
•Surgery: This is risky, because cutting a keloid can trigger the formation of a similar or even larger keloid. Some surgeons achieve success by injecting steroids or applying pressure dressings to the wound site after cutting away the keloid. Radiation after surgical excision has also been used.
•Laser: The pulsed-dye laser can be effective at flattening keloids and making them look less red. Treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatment sessions may be needed. These may be costly, since such treatments are not generally covered by insurance plans.
•Silicone sheets: This involves wearing a sheet of silicone gel on the affected area for several hours a day for weeks or months, which is hard to sustain. Results are variable. Some doctors claim similar success with compression dressings made from materials other than silicone.
•Cryotherapy: Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them but often darkens the site of treatment.
•Interferon: Interferons are proteins produced by the body's immune systems that help fight off viruses, bacteria, and other challenges. In recent studies, injections of interferon have shown promise in reducing the size of keloids, though it's not yet certain whether that effect will be lasting. Current research is underway using a variant of this method, applying topical imiquimod (Aldara), which stimulates the body to produce interferon
•Fluorouracil: Injections of this chemotherapy agent, alone or together with steroids, have been used as well for treatment of keloids.
•Radiation: Some doctors have reported safe and effective use of radiation to treat keloids.
Have you been back to your physician for possible additional treatments? I hope this additional information helps. Please keep us posted.
Missie
Comment Reply
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for your question and welcome to EmpowHer.
There are additional treatments for keloids if the cortizone injections do not work. According to the Mayo Clinic, the additional treatments are available:
•Surgery: This is risky, because cutting a keloid can trigger the formation of a similar or even larger keloid. Some surgeons achieve success by injecting steroids or applying pressure dressings to the wound site after cutting away the keloid. Radiation after surgical excision has also been used.
•Laser: The pulsed-dye laser can be effective at flattening keloids and making them look less red. Treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatment sessions may be needed. These may be costly, since such treatments are not generally covered by insurance plans.
•Silicone sheets: This involves wearing a sheet of silicone gel on the affected area for several hours a day for weeks or months, which is hard to sustain. Results are variable. Some doctors claim similar success with compression dressings made from materials other than silicone.
•Cryotherapy: Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them but often darkens the site of treatment.
•Interferon: Interferons are proteins produced by the body's immune systems that help fight off viruses, bacteria, and other challenges. In recent studies, injections of interferon have shown promise in reducing the size of keloids, though it's not yet certain whether that effect will be lasting. Current research is underway using a variant of this method, applying topical imiquimod (Aldara), which stimulates the body to produce interferon
•Fluorouracil: Injections of this chemotherapy agent, alone or together with steroids, have been used as well for treatment of keloids.
•Radiation: Some doctors have reported safe and effective use of radiation to treat keloids.
Have you been back to your physician for possible additional treatments? I hope this additional information helps. Please keep us posted.
March 13, 2011 - 6:52amMissie
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