Keloid negatively affects body image.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychology
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Keloid is a unique human cicatricial neoplasm with unclear physiopathogenesis.
• The disfiguring nature of keloids can significantly impact a patient's body image perception.
• Understanding this impact is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychological impact of keloids on patients' body image.
• To assess the correlation between keloid presence and body dysmorphic symptoms.
• To investigate the effect of keloids on self-esteem.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 61 patients with keloids on socially visible body areas was studied.
• Participants underwent clinical evaluation, including anamnesis and physical examination.
• Standardized questionnaires, the Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale (BDSS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, were administered.

Main Results:

• Forty percent of patients reported negative body image aspects, indicated by a BDSS score of 6 or higher.
• Patients with negative body image perceptions showed significantly lower self-esteem.
• An average Rosenberg Scale score of 10.5 was observed in affected patients (p<0.03).

Conclusions:

• The presence of keloids demonstrably has a negative effect on an individual's body image.
• Keloid scarring is associated with psychological distress and diminished self-worth.
• Further research into managing the body image disturbances caused by keloids is warranted.