Types & Presentations of Ear Keloids

1. Lobe Keloids

Develop on the soft earlobe, often after piercing; may hang or be sessile.

2. Helical/Cartilage Keloids

Form along the rim (helix) or cartilage after trauma, surgery, or piercing.

3. Recurrent Keloids

Keloids that return after prior treatment — typically need combined approaches.

Symptoms & Common Causes

Symptoms

• Raised, firm, and often shiny scar tissue on the ear
• Itching, tenderness, or pain
• Cosmetic deformity or difficulty wearing earrings

Common Causes & Risk Factors

• Ear piercings and repeated trauma
• Surgical incisions or ear infections
• Genetic predisposition (darker skin types have higher risk)
• Poor wound care or early re-injury

Treatment Options for Ear Keloids

Treatment is tailored to keloid size, prior treatments, and patient preference. Combined strategies reduce recurrence rates.

Non-surgical Treatments

• Intralesional corticosteroid injections to flatten and reduce symptoms
• Silicone gel sheets or pressure earrings to prevent progression
• Cryotherapy (freezing) for small keloids
• Laser therapy to reduce bulk and improve texture

Surgical Excision with Adjuvant Therapy

Surgical removal offers immediate contour improvement but must be combined with additional measures to lower recurrence.

• Excision with immediate intralesional steroid injection
• Excision + pressure therapy (custom pressure earrings or splints)
• Excision followed by postoperative low-dose radiotherapy in select recurrent cases
• Excision plus topical or intralesional chemotherapeutics for resistant lesions

Choosing the Right Plan

Your surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of each option, recurrence risks, downtime, and cosmetic expectations to choose the best multi-modal plan.

Prevention & Aftercare

• Avoid unnecessary piercings if you have prior keloids or family history
• Use gentle wound care and avoid early re-piercing
• Use pressure earrings or silicone sheets after treatment as directed
• Attend follow-up visits for steroid injections or other adjuvant therapy

Why Choose Dr. Shrekha Padmakshan for Ear Keloid Care?

Dr. Shrekha Padmakshan offers experienced, evidence-based care for keloid management using combined surgical and non-surgical strategies to achieve the best cosmetic and functional outcomes with the lowest possible recurrence.

• Personalized treatment plans focused on long-term results
• Skill in cosmetic excision techniques to minimize visible scarring
• Access to adjuvant therapies — steroid injections, pressure therapy, lasers, and radiotherapy when indicated
• Comprehensive follow-up and scar management

If you have an ear keloid causing discomfort or cosmetic concern, book a consultation to discuss the best individualized treatment plan. Early intervention and a combined approach give the best chance of success.