Ayurvedic Treatment for Keloid

Abstract

Keloid is a hard, lumpy scar which develops on the skin after an injury/wound or minor skin damage, such as acne, tattoos, piercing or surgical incision. A Keloid scar occurs on injured/damaged skin site due to excessive production of the protein called ‘collagen’ during the wound-healing process. The scar usually spreads beyond the initial site of injury or skin damage. Keloids are neither contagious nor cancerous, but they can cause cosmetic concerns for affected individuals. Planet Ayurveda herbal manufacturing company offers some useful herbal products for managing Keloids in a safe and natural manner.

Keloid: Overview

Keloid is a raised, enlarged scar which develops after a wound, injury or some other type of skin damage. The scar is usually shiny, hairless, hard and rubbery, though it can also sometimes be soft and doughy. Keloids can develop on any part of the body, but they commonly develop on the earlobes, cheeks, neck, shoulders, or chest. The occurrence of a Keloid scar is linked to the formation of a fibrous tissue – called scar tissue – after skin damage of some kind. The scar tissue forms on the injured or damaged skin in order to protect the skin and facilitate the healing of a wound. However, in some cases, there is an extra growth of the scar tissue on the injured/damaged skin, which leads to the development a Keloid scar.

The Keloid or raised scar which develops on the skin after a healed injury/wound is darker in color as compared to the surrounding skin. In most cases, the color of the Keloid is pink, purple, red or brown. The size of a Keloid scar can range between 1-12 inches or more; and it is mostly much bigger than the original wound.

Keloid scars can affect individuals of all ages, though people aged between 10 and 30 years have fairly high chances of developing these scars. People with dark skin are also more likely to develop Keloids as compared to those with fairer skin. Sometimes, a Keloid scar may develop a few months after an injury/wound, and may last for several years. Keloids do not harm the health of the affected individuals, but the unsightly scarring can have an adverse impact on their confidence and self-esteem.

Keloid: Causes

The exact cause behind the occurrence of Keloids is not clearly known. However, some of the apparent causes of Keloids are:

• Skin damage/injury resulting from cuts, chickenpox scars, scratches, ear piercing, severe acne, vaccination, or surgical incision
• Overproduction of the ‘collagen’ skin protein while healing injury
• Genetic factors (especially a gene called the AHNAK gene).

Keloid: Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of Keloid are:

• A raised scar (with a flat surface) which develops after an injury is healed
• Itchiness at the site of the scar
• Tenderness of the skin affected by the scar
• Pain at the site of scarring
• Discomfort or irritation from clothes and other types of friction.

Keloid: Treatment

The treatment of Keloid is different for different people because it is aimed at flattening or shrinking the scar. Some of the commonly-used treatments for Keloid include medications, corticosteroid injections, silicone sheets, emollients (oils and creams), skin needling, Laser therapy, Keloid surgery, Pressure treatment, Radiation treatment, and Cryotherapy (freezing the Keloid from the inside out).

Ayurvedic medications can also facilitate the management of Keloid naturally by compressing the scar. The medications are herbal products which are prepared in accordance with the guidelines mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts. Some beneficial herbal products which are available from Planet Ayurveda for natural management of Keloid are:

1. Navkarshik Churna

This Churna (herbal powder) is prepared from a combination of several potent herbs which have anti-inflammatory, blood purifying, and immunomodulatory properties. The herbs include Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Vacha (Acorus calamus), and Daru haldi (Berberis aristata).

The use of the churna is beneficial for managing Keloids because of the ability of the herbal components to treat skin problems, remove toxins from the body, regulate the heat in the body, cleanse the blood, support the immune system, and balance the Vata and Pitta doshas.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful, two times a day after meals with plain water.

2. Kanchnaar Guggul

The preparation of these tablets involves the use of some well-known herbs which have proven properties to heal wounds and manage several health conditions. The herbs include Kanchnaar (Bauhinia variegate), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Ginger (Shunti or Zingiber officinale), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), and Varuna (Crataeva nurvala).

The use of these tablets can benefit people suffering from Keloids because the herbal components can manage skin diseases, treat tumors/cancers, and cure cysts and fistula.

Dosage: 2 tablets, two times a day after meals with plain water.

3. Arogyavardhini Vati

These tablets are an excellent Ayurvedic formulation prepared from a blend of some extremely beneficial herbs and natural components, including Shuddh Parad (Purified Mercury), Shuddh Gandhak (Purified Sulphur), Lauh Bhasm (calcined Iron), Abhraka bhasma (Mica), Tamra Bhasma (Copper purified), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica officianalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), Shudha Shilajatu (Asphaltum), Shuddh Guggul (purified Commiphora mukul), Chitraka moola (Plumbago zeylanica), and Katuka (Picorrhiza kurro).

The use of these tablets is beneficial for managing Keloids because of the herbal and natural components can treat skin disorders, boost the immune system, heal injuries/wounds, eliminate unwanted fats from the body, and balance the Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.

Dosage: 2 tablets, two times a day after meals with plain water.

4. Gandhak Rasayan

These tablets are prepared from Shuddh Gandhak (Purified Sulphur) and a combination of some potent herbs, including Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Patra (Cinnamomum tamala), Nagakeshara (Mesua ferrea), Shunti (Zingiber officinale), and Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba).

These tablets are useful for managing Keloids effectively because the herbal ingredients have proven properties to treat skin disorders, relieve inflammation, cure fungal infections, purify the blood, provide relief in burning sensation on the skin, and balance the Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.

Dosage: 2 tablets, two times a day after meals with plain water.

Conclusion

The herbal products offered by Planet Ayurveda for natural management of Keloids are prepared from 100% pure herbs and other natural ingredients. These products do not contain any chemicals, preservatives, artificial colors, starch, fillers, additives, and binders. Though the herbal products are completely safe to use, it is recommended that people suffering from Keloids should use these products under the supervision of an Ayurveda expert.