CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Scar
formation after injury is a normal process. It is the body's natural way of
healing, by creating a connective tissue fibers such as collagen and deposits
on the skin to close the wound. However in some cases the wound tends to swell,
become swollen and sometimes red. These scars are known as hypertrophic scars.
Scar hypertrophy is due to several reasons such as burns, scrapes, injections
and tattoos. Another reason for the occurrence of hypertrophic scarring can be
simple things like that can lead to the formation of acne scars, insect bites
and accidents. Hypertrophic scarring can occur in individuals of all ages.
However, in some cases, individuals tend to get hypertrophic scarring because
they are genetically prone to it. Individuals with lighter skin is more
susceptible to injury because the scars are more visible and prominent.
Scar
hypertrophy is characterized by erythematous, pruritic, raised fibrous lesions
that typically do not grow beyond the boundaries of the initial injury and may
undergo partial spontaneous resolution. Scar hypertrophy often occurs after
thermal injury and other injuries involving the deep dermis.
Hypertrophic
scar looks like a keloid. Hypertrophic scars are more common. They do not get
as large as keloids, and may fade with time. They occur in all racial groups.
Keloids considered a benign tumor, but they are mainly cosmetic nuisance and
never become malignant. Operates in keloid scarring usually stimulate more to
form, so that people with keloids may have been told that nothing can be done
to get rid of them.
