Can you pop a keloid?

Author: Prof. Sheldon Larkin  |  Last update: Thursday, December 4, 2025

It may be very tempting to squeeze an ear keloid. However, you can't pop an ear keloid. Ear keloids are a type of scar tissue, so there isn't any pus to squeeze out, like a pimple. Trying to pop a keloid on your ear can damage your skin and introduce bacteria, which can cause an infection.

How do you drain a keloid?

Treatment for keloids
  1. Corticosteroids: This type of medication can help shrink the keloid. ...
  2. Surgery: A specialist can surgically remove the keloid. ...
  3. Laser treatment: Laser treatment can help flatten the keloid scar and make it fade.
  4. Cryotherapy: This treatment is appropriate for use on small keloids.

How can I remove a keloid at home?

There are no proven methods of removing keloid scars naturally. Some clinical studies have shown that onion extract used orally or on the skin might possibly be effective in improving the appearance of keloid scars and reducing itchiness and discomfort.

Can you break up a keloid?

You cannot get rid of a keloid scar, but there are treatments that can help improve how it looks and reduce irritation. Treatments may include: steroid injections or cream. silicone dressings or gels.

What happens if you peel off a keloid?

Prevention is often more effective than treatment, as removing a keloid often causes another skin wound, leading to potentially developing another keloid.

Can you pop a keloid on your nose?

What is inside a keloid?

Generally, they contain relatively acellular centers and thick, abundant collagen bundles that form nodules in the deep dermal portion of the lesion. Keloids present a therapeutic challenge that must be addressed, as these lesions can cause significant pain, pruritus (itching), and physical disfigurement.

Can pus come out of a keloid?

Keloid infections, also known as suppurative keloids, suppurative keloidosis and keloid suppuration, can give rise to redness, agonising pain, tenderness, sinus and pus discharge.

Is it bad to pop my keloid?

Ear keloids are a type of scar tissue, so there isn't any pus to squeeze out, like a pimple. Trying to pop a keloid on your ear can damage your skin and introduce bacteria, which can cause an infection.

Is it OK to leave a keloid?

A keloid scar isn't harmful to your physical health, but it can cause emotional distress. Prevention or early treatment is key.

Does Vaseline get rid of keloids?

To prevent keloids after a minor skin injury, there are some things you can do that may help it heal faster and prevent keloid growth. Treat a new wound right away. Cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.

Does pink skin mean scarring?

What are the signs of a scar? When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it's usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. In people with dark skin, scars often appear as dark spots.

Is it a keloid or piercing bump?

Space: A piercing bump usually develops on or around the piercing hole and appears as a tiny red or pink colored ball beneath the piercing area. A keloid will most likely spread beyond the piercing site as it grows.

Should you press a keloid?

To be effective, you need to start with the pressure as soon as you notice thickening skin. A dermatologist can fit you with a pressure garment. Adding another keloid treatment like injections of corticosteroids may also help. Surgery, including dental surgery: A keloid can develop on your skin or inside your mouth.

Can I pop a piercing bump?

People should not force the bump to drain, as this can lead to further irritation and scarring.

Do keloids leak fluid?

The swollen keloid will gradually ooze and leak yellowish and at times blood-tinged fluid. The amount of swelling and oozing depends on the size of the treated keloid; this continues for 5-7 days, at which point the keloid tissue starts to dry out and form a dark or black color scab.

What ointment is good for keloids?

A prescription-strength corticosteroid cream can help ease itchiness from your keloid. Avoid scratching or picking at your keloid to prevent further damage. An injection of a corticosteroid can reduce the size of a keloid scar. In general, steroids reduce inflammation and redness.

Why does my keloid smell?

Keloid lesions on the neck were reportedly smelly and discharge commonly in the current study. Itching, discharge and smelling was possibly as a result of the part being an hairy area prone to hair trapping in the keloids, with associated infection and discharge.

Is it bad to pick at a keloid?

Avoid picking at the keloid scars

Picking the skin can cause additional inflammation and damage, leading to an increase in size over time. The best practice is to keep your hands off the keloid and let it heal naturally. Avoid any direct trauma or irritation to the area where the keloid was located.

Will a keloid bleed if popped?

Like the rest of your skin, you may see a keloid bleeding if you injure it. An open keloid can become infected. If the wound on a keloid fails to heal, see a dermatologist.

Do keloids fill with pus?

If you find a keloid has become very tender it may be infected. There will usually be some inflammation or the skin will be warm to the touch. If this happens it's a good idea to see a doctor. Some keloid infections can develop into pockets of pus.

Can I pop my helix bump?

Granulation tissue is extra tissue that grows next to or over a healing wound. It may look or feel like a hard lump or a blister. Picking at the tissue or trying to remove it at home can cause an infection.

Can you squeeze out a keloid?

They are scar tissues. While you might be able to squeeze Keloids such as those on the ear, you can't pop one. Trying harder to see if more pressure will yield a pop isn't advisable either. You could damage your skin and cause bacteria infiltration and infection.

What does a bad keloid look like?

Keloids are raised and look shiny and dome-shaped, ranging in color from pink to red. Some keloids become quite large and unsightly. Aside from causing potential cosmetic problems, these exuberant scars tend to be itchy, tender, or even painful to the touch.

Should I go to urgent care for a keloid?

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if: You have signs of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Red streaks leading from the wound.

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