Keloids: a study of the immune reaction to sebum

A controlled study of the "immune reaction to sebum" pathogenesis of keloids was carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria; on 22 humans using a homogenate solution of liquid paraffin and vernix caseosa from neonates. The 22 human volunteers comprised two groups, 11 of which were keloid formers and 11 non keloid formers. 0.1cc of sterile liquid paraffin was injected intradermally into the anterior aspect of the left forearm. The mean reaction in keloid formers was 11.55mm while in non keloid formers, it was 8.18mm. Although a higher reaction was demonstrated in this study, in keloid formers, this was found not to be significant (p less than 0.05), thus suggesting that sebum may not be an important factor in the pathogenesis of keloid.