Confimation of Keloids or Not?

I've had these large red oval bumps on my chest and two or three little small round bumps on the back of my shoulder for a couple years now. Once in a while, the bumps on my chest get itchy. Also, they have slowly grown over time but for now they have stopped. I went to a doctor once and he said they are keloids but when I read about them, they seem like scars due to injury but I have never got anything like that on my chest or shoulders. I do have acne that has been persistent for over 5 years now. I just want to know if the bumps on my chest are really keloids or COULD they be something else?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

From the symptoms the possibility of keloid forming is high. The other possibility is of a hypertrophic scar. Hypertrophic scars are not dangerous and improve with age but keloid scars can itch or become irritated if they grown in size and show some rubbing with the clothes. I suggest you to consult a dermatologist and take a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.