Keloids and hypertrophic scars are raised scars that can form after the skin has been injured. On the feet and ankles, these scars may become especially bothersome because shoes, socks, braces, or daily activity can rub against the area and cause irritation.
At Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, our Wichita podiatrist evaluates raised scars on the feet and ankles and recommends treatment based on the location, symptoms, and cause of the scar tissue.
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What Is a Keloid?
A keloid is an unusually large scar that grows beyond the borders of the original injury. Instead of stopping once the wound has healed, the body continues producing extra scar tissue. This can create a raised, firm, thickened area of skin.
Keloids can form after cuts, scrapes, burns, piercings, surgery, or other injuries to the skin. On the feet and ankles, they may become irritated by friction from footwear or pressure from walking.
Keloids vs. Hypertrophic Scars
Keloids and hypertrophic scars are both raised scars, but they behave differently.
- Keloids grow beyond the original injury site and may continue enlarging over time.
- Hypertrophic scars stay within the boundaries of the original wound but may still appear thick, raised, red, or uncomfortable.
Both types of scars can cause irritation on the foot or ankle, especially when they are located in areas where shoes or braces rub against the skin.
How Does a Keloid Feel?
Keloids are often painless, but they can become uncomfortable depending on their size and location. If a keloid is irritated by shoes, socks, or clothing, it may feel sore, tender, itchy, or sensitive.
If a nerve is irritated or trapped near the scar tissue, the area may cause sharper pain, tingling, burning, or shooting discomfort.
Can You Test for a Keloid?
In many cases, a podiatrist can identify a keloid or hypertrophic scar through a physical examination. Your doctor will look at the size, shape, texture, and location of the scar and ask about any previous injury or procedure in the area.
If there is any concern that the lesion may be something other than scar tissue, a biopsy may be recommended. A biopsy allows a tissue sample to be examined more closely.
What Causes Keloids?
When the skin heals after an injury, the body produces collagen to repair the damaged tissue. In some people, the healing process becomes overactive and creates too much collagen. This extra collagen can result in a thick, raised scar.
Keloids may be more likely to form in people who have had them before. They also tend to occur more often in individuals with darker skin tones. However, anyone can develop a keloid or hypertrophic scar after an injury.
Common causes may include:
- Cuts or scrapes
- Burns
- Surgical incisions
- Piercings
- Repeated friction or irritation
- Trauma to the skin
What Can I Do for a Keloid?
If you have a raised scar on your foot or ankle, monitor it for changes in size, color, pain, or drainage. Avoid tight shoes, constrictive socks, or braces that rub directly over the area.
You should not try to cut, shave, or remove a keloid at home. This can injure the skin and may lead to infection or additional scar formation.
Contact a podiatrist if the scar is painful, growing, irritated by footwear, bleeding, changing, or making it difficult to wear shoes comfortably.
What Will My Podiatrist Do for a Keloid?
Your podiatrist will first examine the scar and determine whether it appears to be a keloid, hypertrophic scar, or another type of skin lesion. Treatment depends on the size of the scar, where it is located, whether it is painful, and whether it is being irritated by shoes or activity.
At Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, we do not typically rely on steroid injections as the preferred treatment for keloids. Instead, we may recommend DPMX tissue allograft when appropriate. DPMX is a regenerative treatment option that may help support soft tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and improve the quality of damaged or irritated tissue.
Because keloids can worsen after additional trauma, treatment is planned carefully. Your podiatrist may also recommend reducing friction and pressure around the scar by changing footwear, using padding, or addressing any mechanical irritation that is contributing to the problem.
If the scar is painful, changing, or located in an area that repeatedly breaks down, your podiatrist will explain the safest treatment options for your specific condition.
How to Help Prevent Keloids
If you have had keloids before, let your doctor know before any procedure or treatment involving the skin. Patients who are prone to keloids may need extra care during healing to reduce the risk of thickened scar tissue.
To help reduce irritation and lower the risk of scar problems:
- Avoid tight shoes that rub against healing skin
- Protect cuts, scrapes, and surgical sites while they heal
- Follow wound care instructions closely
- Do not pick at scabs or healing skin
- Contact your doctor if a scar becomes painful, raised, itchy, or irritated
Prompt care for foot wounds and skin injuries may help reduce complications. Learn more about our nail and skin care services and DPMX tissue allograft treatment.
Schedule an Appointment With Our Wichita Podiatrist
If you have a painful, raised, or irritated scar on your foot or ankle, Central Kansas Podiatry Associates can evaluate the area and recommend the next step.
