Can hypertrophic scars be massaged?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Hypertrophic scars are relatively common in clinical practice. For instance, a patient who has undergone surgery may develop hypertrophic scars at the incision site, or a patient who has suffered a trauma may develop hypertrophic scars at the site of the injury. Once hypertrophic scars have formed, they can be massaged without any issues. Massage does not lead to a worsening of hypertrophic scars, nor does it cause inflammation, carcinogenesis, or other related conditions. However, it is important to remember to massage gently and not use excessive force.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What does "scar constitution" mean?

Scar constitution is a type of special genetic constitution, typically leading to larger scars from minor injuries, especially in areas such as the chest and back where skin and muscles are tense. People with scar constitution should avoid injuries or bumps, particularly avoiding scratching or squeezing folliculitis on the chest, as scars formed are difficult to completely remove. Common anti-scar medications often do not work well. If scar proliferation is significant, treatment with medical injections in a standardized hospital's dermatology department may be required. Regular exercise, boosting the immune system, avoiding spicy or irritating food, and avoiding staying up late can help reduce the frequency of this condition.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do about auricular keloids?

Auricular keloids are a relatively common clinical condition, which may be related to an individual's scar constitution. Firstly, it is necessary to examine the size of the keloid. If the keloid is small, without obvious enlarging, redness, pain, infection, or inflammation, this situation generally can be considered for observation followed by regular ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist follow-ups to check for any rapid growth. However, if the keloid is large and progressively growing, surgical removal should be considered. After the surgery, local superficial radiation therapy can be considered to help prevent postoperative recurrence.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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The difference between hypertrophic scars and keloids

In a strict sense, hypertrophic scars and keloids are similar in their pathogenesis. For hypertrophic scars, the typical presentation is localized overgrowth at the scar site, which means that there is an overgrowth during the wound healing process, resulting in a relatively large and numerous scar. Keloids represent a more severe condition where there is a localized raised scar on the wound, which can be significantly large, sometimes resembling a bug on the surface of the scar. They are more likely to occur in areas like the neck, behind the ears, and under the earlobes. For the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids, if the patient has a predisposition to scarring, considerations include early intervention during wound suturing and healing, such as injection of medications or radiation therapy.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to remove keloids?

The formation of keloids is largely related to one's inherent scarring constitution. Some patients are not prone to keloids but can still develop them due to particularly deep or large wounds. Additionally, keloids can form on the chest or shoulders after repeated occurrences of folliculitis. Currently, there are not many treatments for keloids. For larger keloids, medication can be used locally to gradually soften and reduce their size. For smaller areas, cosmetic surgical methods can be employed for removal, although this does not guarantee prevention of recurrence. Once keloids appear, they are mostly irreversible. If the keloid grows rapidly, treatment can also be sought at nuclear medicine departments, where nuclear radiation therapy is used.

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Can ear piercing caused keloids be cured?

After getting ear piercings, some patients may develop keloids, which could be related to individual body reactions. Some cases are due to a person's scar constitution. First, the size of the keloid should be examined. If the keloid is small and does not show obvious growth, it is generally considered appropriate to observe and regularly re-examine the growth. However, if the keloid is large and gradually increasing in size, surgical removal should be considered. After surgery, superficial radiotherapy is recommended to help prevent recurrence. However, it is typically necessary to have regular follow-ups post-surgery, as some patients are prone to recurrence.