Which lesions are associated with connective tissue overgrowth after trauma, often seen from ear piercings?

Keloids are a type of lesion characterized by an overgrowth of dense fibrous tissue that occurs as a result of an abnormal healing response to skin injury or trauma, which includes ear piercings. When the skin is damaged, the body’s repair mechanisms activate, leading to the formation of collagen. In individuals prone to keloid formation, the collagen production does not stop after the wound has healed, resulting in a raised, thickened area of scar tissue that extends beyond the original boundaries of the injury.

Keloids are commonly associated with the earlobes and can be particularly troublesome, as they may be itchy or painful and can also affect cosmetic appearance. They are more prevalent in certain populations and may recur after excision.

The other options represent different types of lesions that do not share the same characteristics as keloids regarding connective tissue overgrowth specifically resulting from trauma. Fibromas are benign tumors made of fibrous or connective tissue; polyps are abnormal tissue growths found on mucosal surfaces; granulomas are a form of inflammation involving small, aggregated immune cells and are typically associated with chronic inflammatory conditions, not solely trauma.