Question 1

would it be ok to tie a rubber band around my ear keloid? i would make sure to keep it clean etc. steroid shots and surgery haven't worked.

Accepted Answer

No: Would not recommend this. High risk of an infection and the keloid will likely recur and may be even worse. Keloids are caused by abnormal inflammation and scarring after surgery or trauma (such as loping off part of your ear with a rubber band). Have you seen a plastic surgeon?

Question 2

how long should a rubber band be on your keloid?

Accepted Answer

Keloid: If you're trying to flatten and smooth a keloid scar, a rubber band is ineffective. Applying topical silicone gel sheeting is the best treatment short of having the keloid surgically removed, injected with steroid and undergoing a short course of superficial radiation therapy.

Question 3

is it safe to remove a keloid with a rubber band?

Accepted Answer

Not the way I would : Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue. If a rubber band could be placed around a keloid to cut off its blood supply the keloid would have to turn black and fall off. This would leave a place for a new scar and potential new keloid to return. I treat most keloids with excision, steroids, pressure, topical silicone and sometimes short course of radiation if it has recurred.

Question 4

2 days ago i put a rubber band on my keloid. it%b4s started getting bumpy as if it had water, now it popped and i have some left. what do i do?

Accepted Answer

Clean : I have never heard of taking care of a keloid in this way. It may actually come back bigger. That would be my expected result. I would just keep it clean now with water and soap daily then a thin layer of vaseline until it heals over.  I would see a physician for taking care of the keloid in the future.

Question 5

can you pop a keloid ?got it from a cartilage piercing. heard you can use a rubber band and tie it off.

Accepted Answer

No you can't: Keloids are abnormal scaring that happens after a minor injury or surgery including ear piercing in individuals that are predisposed to this condition. It frequently occurs in people of african origins. They are treated by excision and steroid injections. Low dose radiation is another treatment for severe cases.

Question 6

if you use a rubberband on a keloid will it grow back?

Accepted Answer

Bad idea!!: Keloids have a high tendency to come back.  When you remove something by 'tying it off', the subsequent wound does not have clean, sharp edges so you are already setting it up at a disadvantage to heal well.  Keloids should be removed and treated by plastic surgeons to minimize the chances of recurrence.

Question 7

could ice do anything to keloids ?

Accepted Answer

No: Since keloids represent the deposit of an abnormal amount of scar tissue in a would one requires an agent to minimize scar formation which is usually the use of steroid injections such as kenalog (triamcinolone).

Question 8

how do i safely remove a small keloid?

Accepted Answer

Laser or Injection: Certain lasers can help keloids, as can injections of cortisone.  So see you dermatologist or plastic surgeon as they can help with these treatments, or you can try over the counter silicone strips.

Question 9

can keloid spread to the near by tissues?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Keloids can grow but are limited to skin and soft tissue.

Question 10

is there a way to test whether i will get keloids or not if i pierce?

Accepted Answer

No test: There are no tests but if you have any scars on your body that are thick this may be an indication. Keloids tend to be more common in darker skinned individuals. If in doubt ask your doctor before you have a piercing.

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Doctor answers about:

Rubber band around keloid

A member asked:

Would it be ok to tie a rubber band around my ear keloid? i would make sure to keep it clean etc. steroid shots and surgery haven't worked.

A member asked:

How long should a rubber band be on your keloid?

A member asked:

Is it safe to remove a keloid with a rubber band?

A member asked:

2 days ago i put a rubber band on my keloid. it%b4s started getting bumpy as if it had water, now it popped and i have some left. what do i do?

A member asked:

Can you pop a keloid ?got it from a cartilage piercing. heard you can use a rubber band and tie it off.

A member asked:

If you use a rubberband on a keloid will it grow back?

A member asked:

Could ice do anything to keloids ?

A member asked:

How do i safely remove a small keloid?

A member asked:

Can keloid spread to the near by tissues?

A member asked:

Is there a way to test whether i will get keloids or not if i pierce?

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