Disease directory
Keloid
Published: September 18, 2026Updated: September 18, 2026
Important: Informational content intended for healthcare professionals. It does not replace clinical evaluation or establish a doctor-patient relationship.
Overview
- Definition and synonyms
- A keloid is a fibroinflammatory proliferation of scarring in which scar tissue overgrows and extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound (unlike a hypertrophic scar, which is usually kept within the contour of the injury). Kim 2021 , Andrews 2016
- Terms used: keloid , keloid scar (in clinical practice, “keloid” is usually sufficient). Chike-Obi 2009
- First description
- The condition was described in classical medical literature from the 19th century (frequently attributed to Jean-Louis Alibert in historical texts and modern revisions). Andrews 2016
- Epidemiology
- Higher risk in pigmented phototypes and in Afro-descendant/Asian populations; peak presentation in the 2nd–3rd decades . Kim 2021 , Chike-Obi 2009
- Sex distribution: similar is reported in many series/reviews (although the specific cases may vary depending on the context/record). Kim 2021
- ICD codes (useful for documentation; confirm local mapping of the medical record system)
- ICD-10: in administrative database studies, keloids are identified using L91.0 . Swenson 2024
- ICD-11: Codes from the EE60 family have been used for pathological scars (including keloids) in epidemiological reports. Liu 2023
- Diagnostic checklist (quick)
- Clinical presentation: history of trauma/surgery/perforation/acne + firm, raised lesion extending beyond the borders + symptoms (itching/pain). Kim 2021
- Topography: sternum/shoulders/deltoid/upper back/ear lobe. Kim 2021
- Decide on a biopsy if there is diagnostic uncertainty or atypical signs. Kim 2021
- If surgery is considered: discuss recurrence prevention from the outset (early radiotherapy in selected patients). Hsieh 2021 , Walsh 2023
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