Insights Into Minimizing Keloids

Eva Kerby, MD, who presented “Understanding and Minimizing Keloids” at Dermatology Week 2023, emphasized the importance of understanding the pathophysiology and epidemiology of keloids to effectively treat them.

Dr Kerby is an assistant professor of clinical medicine in the department of dermatology at the Weil Cornell Medical College in New York, NY. She provided valuable insights into the understanding and treatment of keloids and how “keloids can occur from any injury to the dermis, whether it is a pimple, bug bite, ingrown hair, or surgery,” with the learning objectives of reviewing the pathophysiology and epidemiology of keloids, discussing tips for treatment with intralesional Kenalog, and reviewing other less commonly utilized treatments such as 5-fluorouracil, cryotherapy, and radiation.

Dr Kerby highlighted intralesional Kenalog as the gold standard treatment. "Intralesional Kenalog injections are effective in reducing the size and symptoms of keloids by reducing inflammation and collagen production," she explained. “Combination of 5-fluorouracil and intralesional Kenalog is a great, effective second-line therapy,” she added.

Dr Kerby urged clinicians to employ other treatment options on a case-by-case basis; for example, “deciding to incorporate cryotherapy after understanding the patient’s treatment tolerance.” She added, “For select patients, excision is appropriate, but it must be followed up by adjuvant therapy.”

“We need better systemic therapy to prevent further growth of existing keloids, recurrence of excised keloids, and the development of new keloids,” she concluded.

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Reference
Kerby E. Understanding and minimizing keloids. Presented at: Dermatology Week; May 3–6; Virtual.