Ofili got the keloid by piercing it

JB

Despite the symptoms, it still took a long time before Ofili saw a doctor for the first time. In the end, it's her best friend who's dragging her along. “I was always putting off going to the doctor, so it took me two years to see the doctor. That's because I didn't know what the doctor would say or if anything could be done.

After a short examination, the doctor knows for sure: Ophélie has a keloid behind her ear. Although Ofili wants to cut it out, the doctor does not agree and gives injections into the keloid. This should cause the bulge to diminish. “I just wanted it to go away, but that wasn't possible. The injections reduced the itching, but the keloid didn't shrink. On the contrary: it kept growing.”

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Referral

That's why Ofili is soon referred to an ENT, who doesn't really understand what she's doing there. “She immediately referred me to plastic surgery. Then I came to Juliette Lotter, who would treat me further. I was happy that someone was finally able to help me, but I also thought it was a shame that so much time was wasted. The keloid continued to grow throughout that period.” .

Ultimately, it is the LOTR that causes the keloid to shrink. By freezing the extrusion three times for a minute with a nitrogen cotton swab, it dries slowly. “First, a bandage was put around my ear, which was swollen and bloody. It was very dirty. When I removed the bandage, the bump dried up. Now it's all black and that's a good sign. Eventually, the idea is for the swelling to simply go down.”

To fall

It has now been four months since I had my keloid frozen with nitrogen. The bump is still black, but Ofili notices a difference compared to how she did a few months ago. “The keloid is becoming looser on the outside, but on the inside it's still firmly in place. In two weeks I'll be back at Lotaire to have it frozen again. There's still a firm, thin rim around it that can be injected as well.”

recognizable

To draw more attention to the situation, Ofili makes a TikTok over the keloid. She discovers that she is not the only one in this situation. “I was surprised by the number of people who recognized themselves in it and I was surprised that there was a solution to it. The problem does not get enough attention.”

turn

And that's exactly what Juliette Lotter, a physician assistant in training, is interested in. In the Netherlands, very few people know about the problem, and there are even doctors who do not dare to touch keloids. That's why Lotter hopes to reach and help many people like Ophélie. “I am now training to be a physician assistant in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Medical University of Amsterdam and have been working in the scar clinic for seven years. As a physician assistant, I have easy contact with patients and have time to give detailed explanations about keloids and what is possible. I graduated last year as a researcher, and last year “I saw how people deal mentally and physically with keloids. Then I discovered how much stress it causes people, because it is unknown, and people around them sometimes react to it in a negative and indifferent way. That is why I would like to discuss it.”

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Medical aspect

Lotter also noted that Ofili was not the only one who did not go to the doctor immediately. There are many clients who do not know what they are suffering from and therefore continue to wear keloids for a very long time. “Anyone can get keloids: they can be caused by an inflamed cavity, but also by acne or beard hair. They are often accompanied by a lot of pain, itching and stinging. The most common age is between ten and thirty years old. If you Google keloids It is said everywhere that people with dark skin are more susceptible to keloids. This is not true at all.

Both Ophélie and many other clients want their keloids cut right away. However, this is Mir's last option, as the mass will grow back. “I fully understand that it can be frustrating for the client. But there is no point in cutting them and I prefer to inject or freeze the keloid. There are options to cut out the keloid, but this always requires a different treatment. These treatments can be intensive. For example, keloids need some Sometimes irradiation or chemical injections are required.

Waiting lists and uncertainty

If treatment helps, Lotter will never know if the keloid will stay away forever. That's why she always tells her customers that they have a warranty delivered right to their door. “I always advise my clients to keep a close eye on it and come back immediately if they see a small bump again.”

If you have keloids, it will take some time before you can see Lotter or one of her colleagues. Since keloids are not very well known in the Netherlands (and the rest of the world), the waiting list is approximately six months. Louter recommends registering immediately if your bump remains and grows for up to six (six) years after an infected piercing, acne, ingrown beard hair, or procedure. “The longer you wait, the bigger the keloid becomes.”

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