Keloids: A Review of the Diseases, Causes, and Current Treatments

Abstract

Keloids are benign tumors that grow as a result of excessive collagen release from overexpressed fibroblasts. Keloids and hypertrophic scars are distinguished by the fact that keloids develop beyond the site of the original lesion, but hypertrophic scars do not. It is still unclear why this mechanism operates, mainly when aberrant scarring occurs. Despite several treatments' availability, the keloids' recurrence rate remains high. Here, we summarize recent narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses to give a general overview of the condition, its underlying causes, and available therapies for keloids. To undertake a comprehensive investigation of the disease, over 100 publications were reviewed utilizing Google Scholar and Pubmed. We also shed light on using phytochemicals as a natural alternative to prevent keloid scarring, which occurs when the body responds abnormally to external injuries by producing scar tissue. We also summarize the available current treatments.