Large, raised scars on your feed can make people that have them very self-conscious. Large scars on the feet can also cause a lot of pain. Keloids and hypertrophic scars are two common types of scars seen on the feet. Thanks to medical advancements, scar injections are an effective treatment option for treating keloids and hypertrophic scars.
What's The Difference Between Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars
Both are raised scars that develop after an injury, but keloids and hypertrophic scars have very different features
1. Keloids
A scar that grows over the original borders of the wound
They often have a thick, uneven appearance and can be painful or itchy.
More common in people with darker skin tones
Tend to come back, even with surgical removal
2. Hypertrophic Scars
Are also raised, but they stay inside of the borders of the original wound.
May shrink on their own over time, becoming fainter and harder to see.
Can also be itchy or tender itching or tender to touch.
Causes of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars on the Feet
Keloids and hypertrophic scars can happen on the feet for several reasons:
1. Surgery
Any foot surgery, including bunion removal or Achilles tendon repair, can increase your risk of keloids or hypertrophic scars.
2. Trauma or Injuries
Cuts, burns, or other injuries to the feet can cause keloids or hypertrophic scars to form
3. Genetics
Some people are just more prone to developing keloids or hypertrophic scars
Scar Injections As Treatment for Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars On Feet
Creams and ointments for scar treatment have very little effect on keloids and hypertrophic scars on the feet. Scar injections are an effective way to improve the appearance of these types of scars. The main types of scar injections used for keloids and hypertrophic scars include corticosteroids, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).
Corticosteroids
Powerful anti-inflammatory that can be injected directly into the scar tissue.
Cortisone lowers collagen production, therefore softening the scar tissue.
Injections of cortisone are given over several months to achieve full treatment of the keloid or hypertrophic scar.
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
5-FU is a chemotherapy drug that has been repurposed for scar treatment.
When injected into the scar, 5-FU slows down diving cells inside of the scar, limiting its growth.
Over time the scar gets smaller
Benefits of Scar Injections For The Feet
Targeted treatment
Unlike topical creams that usually do not treat the scar deep enough, scar injections do go deep into scar tissue, treating the scar thoroughly.
Reduced Recurrence
Scar injections, especially corticosteroid and 5-FU injections, have shown promising results in reducing the recurrence of keloids after surgical removal.
Improved Scar Appearance
Scar injections can help flatten and soften keloids and hypertrophic scars, leading to a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the foot.
Minimal Downtime
After a scar injection, most people can go back to their day-to-day activities with very little downtime
Downsides of Scar Injections
Every treatment in medicine has certain risks or downsides, and scar injections are no exception. These include:
Needs more than 1 visit to work
Getting ideal results more than likely will require several injections spread out over several months
Possible Side Effects
Scar injections, especially those with cortisone or corticosteroid may have side effects such as your skin thinning, area at the injection sight becoming lighter than your natural skin tone, pain, or infection.
The response is different from person to person
How well scar injections will work is different from person to person. Also, some scars will respond better to certain scars than others.
The End
Scar injections for scars on your feet that are either not aesthetically pleasing or painful are a great treatment option. As with anything in medicine, it is important to have all the risks and benefits of any procedure in mind, to make a truly informed decision. If you would like to learn more about scar therapy injections for your feet, speak with your foot doctor.
Schedule Your Appointment At Direct Podiatry Arizona
Are you looking for a doctor that performs scar therapy on feet? My name is Dr. Tarr. I am the owner of Direct Podiatry Arizona in Tempe. To view my available appointment times for a free consultation, click here.