What is connective tissue hyperplasia

Connective tissue hyperplasia, also known as keloid, is a very common skin problem. Of course, there are many reasons for connective tissue hyperplasia, the most common of which is that the patient has a scar-prone constitution. In addition, if scars are not treated in time, connective tissue hyperplasia may easily occur. Next, I will introduce you to some relevant knowledge about connective tissue hyperplasia!

1. What is connective tissue

Connective tissue is composed of cells and a large amount of intercellular matrix. The intercellular matrix of connective tissue includes liquid, colloidal or solid matrix, filamentous fibers and continuously circulating and renewed tissue fluid, which has important functional significance. The cells are scattered in the intercellular matrix and have no polarity in distribution. Connective tissue in a broad sense includes blood, lymph, soft intrinsic connective tissue and relatively solid cartilage and bone; the connective tissue generally refers only to the intrinsic connective tissue. Connective tissue is widely distributed in the body and has multiple functions such as connection, support, nutrition, and protection.

What is connective tissue hyperplasia?

Keloid is the result of excessive proliferation of collagen fibers caused by the loss of normal control of collagen synthesis and metabolism during the healing process of skin injury. It is also called connective tissue hyperplasia, and is called keloid or giant scar in traditional Chinese medicine. It manifests as a benign mass with different shapes, red color and hard texture that protrudes from the normal skin. It can be diagnosed if any one or more of the following conditions are met:

(1) The disease lasts for more than 9 months without spontaneous regression.

(2) Skin damage exceeds the original injury range and invades the surrounding normal skin.

(3) Patients who have undergone surgical resection, cryosurgery, laser, hormone blockade or radiotherapy and have had a relapse.

3. Classification of keloids

Keloids are generally divided into primary and secondary keloids. Primary keloids are mostly found on the chest or shoulders and back. They start out as small red dots with an itchy sensation, gradually growing from small to large and from soft to hard. They are red or dark red in color and may be round, cord-shaped, or butterfly-shaped. Secondary keloids (also called hypertrophic keloids) are mostly caused by burns, scalds, surgery, trauma, acne infection, edema, foreign body stimulation and other factors that damage the dermis and cause excessive proliferation of subcutaneous connective tissue. Some have obvious capillaries extending outward. Any injury deep into the dermis can form a scar, but the incidence of keloids is different in different parts of the same individual. For example, the incidence on the limbs is lower than that on the chest and back.