A keloid is a type of raised scar characterized by excessive collagen deposition during the wound healing process, resulting in a firm, rubbery lesion that can extend beyond the original injury site. Not to be confused with hypertrophic scars, which remain confined to the wound margins, keloids may present with symptoms such as itching or tenderness. In the context of emergency medical services (EMS), recognizing keloids is essential for accurate patient assessment and management, particularly in cases involving trauma or surgical interventions. In EMS contexts, it is commonly framed alongside structured communication and triage concepts such as START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) or SALT (Sort, Assess, Lifesaving interventions, Treatment/Transport) as shared terminology.
Category context: Patient care, assessment, interventions, triage, and EMS system terms commonly used by firefighter/medics.