What distinguishes hypertrophic scars from keloids in burn patients?

Hypertrophic scars are characterized by their appearance and behavior in relation to the original wound. They typically remain confined within the confines of the wound borders, which means they do not extend beyond the area of the injury. This is in contrast to keloids, which are a type of raised scar that can grow beyond the original site of the wound, often resulting in a larger and thicker scar that can be quite prominent.

This distinction is clinically significant for burn patients as it helps guide treatment decisions and expectations for healing. While both types of scars can be raised and may occur after skin injuries, the key difference lies in the behavior of hypertrophic scars—they often improve over time and may flatten, whereas keloids can continue to grow and may require more aggressive treatment options.

In addition, the other statements about pain levels and treatment difficulty do not highlight the fundamental distinction between these two types of scars, further emphasizing the relevance of how hypertrophic scars are limited to the original wound area. In clinical practice, understanding this differentiation informs the management approaches for scar treatment and patient education regarding scar formation and healing processes after burns.