I have a keloid behind my ear that's the result of piercings. What types of treatment are available for keloid scars?

A keloid scar is a benign tumour that grows beyond the original wound site. Created by excess collagen, a keloid resembles a bump in the shape of a mushroom or cauliflower.

These days, there are a growing number of treatment options from which to choose.

Non-surgical treatment involves pulsed-dye laser and injection.

The pulsed-dye laser can be effective at flattening the keloid and helping to reduce redness and symptoms, resulting in softer, thinner, more pliable and less noticeable scarring. The treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatment sessions may be needed.

Another treatment of choice is injection of corticosteroid drugs such as cortisone directly into the scar. This needs to be repeated every four to six weeks until the maximum benefit is obtained. Injections are safe and usually help flatten the keloid. However, steroid injections can also make the flattened keloid redder as they stimulate the formation of more superficial blood vessels. These can be treated using a laser. -The Nation/ANN