Unusually Located Keloids - The Role of Cultural Practices in its Etiology

Abstract

Keloids are an exuberant growth of scar tissue extending beyond the boundaries of the original wound causing it and are mainly due to excessive collagen tissue synthesis. They have predilection for certain sites in the human body.There is an increasing trend for the location of such keloidal scars in parts of the body where they are not supposed to be.Certain cultural practices are responsible for this situation particularly in the African context. One of such practice that leads to this type of unusual complication is presented below and the pathogenesis as well as other aspects of keloidal growth are reviewed in general. Figure 1: Below is also another perfectly healed scar done while the patient was young. Healing here is similar to the figure above. However, note the discolouration (? bluish hue) of the scars with its cosmetic effect! In some tribes, this is the reason for this practice. Unusually Located Keloids-The Role of Cultural Practices in its Etiology Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research