What Is Keloid? Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes, Symptoms

Abstract

Keloid is a scar that is thick and raised over the skin. People with keloid mostly suffer from their looks as with keloid their good looks suffer. This type of scar mostly occurs after any kind of injury. Usually with allopathic treatment it may last or it may reoccur. As per ayurveda keloid is correlated to vranagranthi along with that ayurveda is having definite treatment of it.Through this study we will discuss the reason behind this scar and how to get rid of it with ayurvedic management.

Introduction

Keloid is a scar that can occur from abnormal wound healing after skin trauma or any inflammation. The incidence of keloid is mostly seen in dark skin persons. Clinically a keloid looks like a firm nodule in the area of prior trauma or inflammation. Keloid extends away from the initial site of injury and the patient suffers from pain, burning sensation and itching mostly. When injury occurs in the skin a fibrous tissue forms over the wound to repair the injury but in some cases the extra growth of tissue occurs that is firm and hard. This growth is known as keloid. Most commonly keloids are found on shoulders, earlobes, chest and cheeks rather than that it affects all over the body. Although these scars are not harmful, mostly the people are concerned about their cosmetic looks.

Symptoms of keloid

A keloid is formed within a month after the injury occurs. The symptoms occur after having keloids are:

• Thick and irregular scaring
• Shiny and hairless skin
• Size may vary depending upon the size of original injury and on the time when the keloid formation stops
• Texture also vary from soft to firm
• Color also varies depending upon the skin color from- reddish, brown or even purplish
• Itching and discomfort

Causes of keloid formation

• Commonly the reason for keloid formation is not known but mostly the reason that is considered beyond all is improper wound healing process.
•  The protein that is responsible for wound healing is collagen and if it is produced in too much amount then the keloid may occur.
• Keloid formation may be triggered by any kind of skin injury- like acne, injection, insect bite, burns, and even minor scratches.
•  Some scars have unknown causes.

Diagnosis of keloid scar

Keloid is usually diagnosed by examination with the naked eye, otherwise if seen, a complicated doctor may ask you for skin biopsy to rule out some dangerous conditions like nodular scleroderma, lobomycosis and fungal infection of skin. In skin biopsy a small section is removed from skin and studied under a microscope mainly done under the supervision of a dermatologist and there is no need for any other diagnosis.

Ayurvedic view of keloid

As per ayurveda keloid is known as vranagranthi. According to acharya vaghbhata (as. Hr. u. 29/12, 13) at the time of wound healing if the patient eats any kind of apathya (infidelity) diet and unhealthy lifestyle,  the wound is not properly bandaged, there is any trauma occur over the wound than a wound is turned into a scar that scar is known as keloid. And the symptoms that occur in this scar are itching and burning sensation. Treatment according to acharya vaghbhata is mentioned as (as. Hr. chi. 30/4) make an incision on vranagranthi (keloid) after that wait till the blood stops and give agnikarma (heat) therapy. And if agnikarma is not done the keloid may reoccur.

Home remedies for getting rid of keloid

• Garlic: It works like aspirin. It blocks the enzyme entry into the site of tissue and pigment buildup and with the long term use it may help to get rid of scar. There are certain steps to use the garlic as a remedy- take 2-3 fresh garlic pieces and crush them. After that apply it over the area of the keloid and let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash it with water and apply some moisturizer over it. If while using this remedy you feel any kind of burning sensation then discontinue its use.
• Honey: It contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help to get rid of keloid. The method for using honey over the keloid is to apply a bit of honey on the site of the keloid and rinse it after sometime. Reapply as soon as needed. Use this remedy at least 2-3 times per day.
• Onion: Onions help to stop the entry of fibroblasts (cells that help in the formation of scar tissue) into the skin. Along with that it reduces the pigmentation of the scar. Hence it is recommended for the treatment of keloid. Steps to use this remedy are- cut onion into small pieces, now squeeze juice out of it, apply the juice over the keloid after that rinse it with water. Apply it 2-3 times a day.

Ayurvedic treatment of keloid

As discussed earlier keloid is vranagranthi as per ayurveda and its treatment is specific according to ayurveda. As mentioned earlier acharyas vaghbhata told about surgical incision and parasurgical procedure for keloid. But along with that ayurveda has some specific herbs that deal with keloid. Planet ayurveda worked in the branch of ayurveda and prevented and even cured diseases from the root cause. Now let us take a look at herbal remedies by planet ayurveda for keloid.

Herbal remedies for Keloid by planet ayurveda

Planet ayurveda worked for the purpose to maintain the healthy person’s health and to cure the diseased person. All the remedies are made under the supervision of M.D. ayurveda doctors. These herbal remedies are free from any kind of synthetic material, color, additives, starch and even other sort of fillers. Now we are going to discuss the remedies for treating keloid.

1. Navkarshik churna
2. Kanchnaar guggul
3. Arogyavardhini vati
4. Gandhak rasayan

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. NAVKARSHIK CHURNA

It consists of nine herbs- amla (Emblica officinalis), haritki (Terminalia chebula), bahera (Terminalia bellirica), vacha (Acorus calamus), neem (Azadirachta indica), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and daruhaldi (Berberis aristata). As the herbs present in this formulation have the potency to treat skin  problems with the purification of blood along with that these herbs consist of anti-inflammatory properties. So due to all these properties this formulation is used for the treatment of keloid.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice a day with plain water.

2. KANCHNAAR GUGGUL

This formulation consists of 10 ingredients- kachnaar bark (Bauhinia variegata), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), trikatu (GINGER (Zingiber officinale), black pepper (Piper nigrum) and pippali (Piper longum)], vruna (Crataeva religiosa), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), tejpatra (cinamomum tamala) and guggul (Commiphora mukul). Kanchnaar guggul is useful in treating keloids as it treats nodular growths, tumors, any extra growth, healing wounds and other skin disorders.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice a day with plain water.

3.AROGYAVARDHINI VATI

This herbal remedy consists of 7 herbs- haritaki (Terminali chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), shudh shilajit (purified asphaltum), shuddha guggul (commiphora mukul), chitrak mool (plumbago zeylanica) and kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa). These tablets help in treating keloid as it removes toxins from the body and any type of unwanted accumulation (any fibrous tissue) from the body and maintain overall metabolism of the body.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water.

4. GANDHAK RASAYAN

It is a single substance formulation consisting of shuddha gandhak (purified sulfur). Gandhak is good for skin diseases, bleeding disorders and also improves skin complexion and balances all the three dosha- vata, pitta, and kapha. Due to all these properties gandhak is used for treating keloid.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water.

Diet for keloid

Food to be taken:

• Water rich vegetables- like cucumber, celery, etc
• Food containing collagen such as- dark green vegetables (spinach, cabbage, kale, etc.)
• Beans
• Red fruits and vegetables- tomatoes, peppers, beets, etc.
• Vitamin C rich fruit
• Giloy
• Methi
• Fish (tuna and salmon)
• Soy food

Food to be avoided:

• Hot food items
• Spicy food items
• Oily food
• Sour food
• Milk with salty food

Conclusion

Keloid is an irregular scar formed at the time of wound healing. It is caused by faulty wound healing, any kind of skin infection or idiopathic in nature. There is no other treatment for keloid than small incision and after that agnikarma is performed and then the application of wound healing herbs. Ayurveda is best for treating keloid as agnikarma performed in ayurvedic treatment ensures the recurrence will not occur after the repair of keloid. Also along with that keloid is healed with herbal formulations and the specific herbal formulations for keloid are prepared by planet ayurveda it treats your keloid in a very effective manner and also provides you with better looking skin.