Keloid is an overgrowth of fibrous tissue that usually develops after healing of a skin injury. A hypertrophic scar is commonly confused with keloid.

Keloid has an autosomal dominant inheritance. Keloids are more common in Africans and Indians, seen in the age group between 10 to 30 years. Keloids while growing in the early stage are reddish with itching, pain, and burning. They are generally oval or oblong with regular margins but some appear claw-like with irregular borders. Shoulder, chest, and earlobes are the most commonly affected areas. Most keloids grow slowly for weeks to months and they extend beyond the area of trauma. Once they stop growing, they do remain stable or involute slightly.