Treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids.

Differentiation of a hypertrophic scar from a keloid is important with regard to the planning of treatment. Keloids arise following any skin injury and may grow disproportionately large as compared with the original wound. Treatment of keloids is challenging both for the patient and the attending physician. Treatment of hypertrophic scars aims to abate the symptoms and accelerate scar maturation. The goal in the treatment of keloids is excision of the keloid or stopping its growth, lessening of symptoms and avoidance of recurrence.