Keloids are thick, puckered, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. They are often red or darker in color than the surrounding skin. Keloids occur when the body continues to produce the tough, fibrous protein known as collagen after a wound has healed. Keloids can appear anywhere on the body, but they're most common over the breast bone, on the earlobes, and on the shoulders. They occur more often in dark ? skinned than in those who are fair. The tendency to develop Keloids lessens with age. Keloids are often treated by injecting a steroid medication directly into the scar tissue to reduce redness, itching and burning. In some cases, this will also shrink the scar. If steroid treatment is inadequate the scar tissue can be cut out and the wound closed with one more layers of stitches. This is generally an outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia. You should be back to work in a day or two, and the stitches will be removed in a day or two, and the stitches will be removed in a few days. A skin graft is occasionally used, although the site from which the graft was taken may then develop a Keloid. No matter what approach is taken, Keloids have a stubborn tendency to recur, sometimes even larger than before. To discourage this, the surgeon may combine the scar removal with steroid injections, direct application of steroids during surgery, or radiation therapy or you may be asked to wear a pressure garment over the area for as long as a year. Even so, the keloid may return, acquiring repeated procedures every few years.