title: Keloids - the sebum hypothesis revisited.
abstract: The aetiology of the keloid scar has not been completely elucidated. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past to explain the unusual characteristics of the keloid scar. While we do know that there is excessive and ongoing collagen-deposition, the exact triggering stimulus is a subject of conjecture. We present some of our photographic records of keloids and electron microscopic findings of keloid edges and reiterate the sebum hypothesis. We also attempt to explain the features of keloids in the light of the present knowledge of immunology and cell biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Malaya Medical Centre, West Malaysia. eileen@medicine.med.um.edu
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Bay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D007627:Keloid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012629:Sebum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D003094:Collagen