In many procedures such as plastic surgery, piercing and tattooing, scarring needs extra attention, because during this process, problems such as keloids and infections can arise. But do you know the difference between the two problems?

"Basically, keloid is nothing more than an excess of collagen production that the person's body has," explains plastic surgeon Dr. Patricia Marques, a member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery and an expert in reconstructive surgery,he adds.

After all, a reddish blister on the skin can mean infection.

However, the doctor assures that it is a benign development: "In the infection, the swelling spreads to the entire region, accompanied by a lot of pain and eventually the release of pus at the perforation site. Fever and nausea can also occur, which is not the case with keloids".

Although it is not harmful, it does cause a shapeless appearance, often in procedures that are supposed to change the physical appearance, such as plastic surgery, piercing, or even tattoos. In addition, keloids will not always be the same size or appearance for everyone.

"Many people can, for example, develop a very small excess of skin around a new piercing, no larger than 2 millimeters, with no redness," he exemplifies, "Another person can have a piercing in the same place and have a keloid that will continue to grow for months and become a circumference of 1 to 2 centimeters of a redder color," he emphasizes.

Keloid or infection: is it curable?

Different from infection, keloids have no cure, although they can be minimized. "It is a complex problem. Generally betatherapy is performed, a very light radiotherapy that will correct this excessive production of collagen, in conjunction with surgery orCorticoid injections, and in cases even all 3 together. A single treatment unfortunately does not yet exist."

She also explains that in cases of minimal keloids, pharmacy solutions such as silicone strips and ointments can help, but in most cases a specialist is needed.

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Marques also points out that not every 'bad' scar is a keloid and it is always important to follow to the letter the recommendations, such as maintaining a less heavy diet for a while and not exposing the scar to the sun, to avoid problems.This is a very subjective matter from person to person," he concludes.

Source: Dr. Patricia Marques, plastic surgeon, member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery and specialist in reconstructive surgery.