Assessing and Improving Patient Knowledge About Keloid Scars (Keloids)

Assessing and Improving Patient Knowledge About Keloids

The purpose of this study is:

• to identify how knowledge about keloid scars and self-treatments differs between patients who use the Internet as a source of information and patients who do not
• to determine if patients who are at a high risk of developing additional keloid scars are more or less likely to change their behavior based on an educational information talk about keloid scar prevention

Keloids scars differ from other scar types in that they grow beyond the borders of the injury that caused them. Patients with darker pigmented skin are more likely to develop keloids, and blacks are especially predisposed to keloid formation. Treatment options for keloids are limited in that new keloids often form at the treated location. The limited efficacy of professional treatment options and the harmless appearance of small keloid scars may lead a patient to try to manage their keloid scars on their own. One source of information that patients may turn to for self-treatment advice is the Internet.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with a clinical diagnosis of keloid scarring
• Subjects over the age of 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• That which does not fit the inclusion criteria