Eruptive Keloids in a Young Female Following Varicella: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pathophysiology of Scarring

Background:

• Keloids are fibroproliferative scars that extend beyond wound borders, more prevalent in darker skin types.
• Eruptive keloids, a rare presentation, involve the sudden onset of multiple keloid lesions.
• Previous reports link varicella infection to keloid development, though infrequently.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of eruptive keloids following primary varicella infection.
• To discuss the potential pathophysiological mechanisms involved in varicella-induced keloid formation.
• To emphasize the clinical recognition and management of this rare association.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case report of a 15-year-old female.
• Diagnosis based on clinical presentation and morphology of lesions.
• Lesions were associated with prior varicella scars.
• Conservative management approach.

Main Results:

• The patient developed five painful, pruritic keloids on the jaw, chest, abdomen, and flank within two months of varicella infection.
• All keloid lesions corresponded to sites of healed varicella scars.
• Lesions remained stable with conservative management during follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Varicella infection may trigger aberrant wound healing, leading to eruptive keloid formation.
• The inflammatory and profibrotic cytokine response to varicella could play a role.
• Clinicians should be aware of this rare temporal link for appropriate patient counseling and management.