By Connor Reid-Klein
Everyone knows Pioneer senior Nia Blair — or at least everyone knows her voice — from the morning announcements each day. But few know that Blair suffers from a rare skin condition called keloid skin.
Keloid skin is a genetic disorder which is defined as an overgrowth of scar tissue that develops around a wound usually after it has healed. Keloid Skin is relatively rare as only six out of 100 people are reported to suffer from this condition. Keloid Scars grow bigger than the original injury most of the time and can grow for months after an injury occurs; in most cases they don’t disappear completely, even on small wounds. The condition was originally discovered in 1806 and given the name Cheloide, a Greek word for Crabs Claw, as the shape of these scars sometimes resembles a Crab Claw. The condition puts people who require major surgery at great risk of developing massive scars.
Blair’s condition was discovered when she was 8. “I wanted to get my ears pierced, but before that at my doctor’s appointment my condition was discovered,” she said.
The condition is genetic and is lifelong; however, it is not typically life-threatening.
Although the condition is not severe, Blair does have to make sure that she takes care of herself because a bad cut or burn could lead to horrible scarring, although she has yet to have an incident leading to severe consequences.
While Blair’s condition does not affect her daily life, it does limit her ability to do certain things. “I can’t get piercings or tattoos, but those are pretty much the only restrictions I can think of,” says Blair. Blair does have to be especially careful in certain places such as amusement parks, sporting events or any other setting with lots of people where she could be susceptible to injury, which would lead to scarring.
Though it is a lifelong condition, Blair is not worried about how it will affect her life and chooses to focus on other things. “My condition doesn’t affect me too much,” she said. “I rarely even think about it.” Blair adds that her parents don’t worry too much about Blair having a major incident either. “They don’t worry too much about my condition; [they] just warn me to be careful,” she said.
School Nurse Amy Caragay has a specific protocol the school uses for students with chronic diseases and conditions, like Blair’s. “We have to talk to the family and the physician of the student with the condition, we need to look at all medical files, the students health care plan, and we come up with a plan for what to do when I’m not present at school (is something should happen),” she said. Nurse Caragay is not at Pioneer High School on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, so this plan ensures students’ health whether or not she is present.
Despite the fact that Blair has to be slightly more careful when in public places than most people, and that she has a few restrictions, she says that she will plan her future without worrying. “As I begin to start looking at colleges, I will not let this condition affect me or influence my future,” she said.
Keloid skin is a genetic disorder which is defined as an overgrowth of scar tissue that develops around a wound usually after it has healed. Keloid Skin is relatively rare as only six out of 100 people are reported to suffer from this condition. Keloid Scars grow bigger than the original injury most of the time and can grow for months after an injury occurs; in most cases they don’t disappear completely, even on small wounds. The condition was originally discovered in 1806 and given the name Cheloide, a Greek word for Crabs Claw, as the shape of these scars sometimes resembles a Crab Claw. The condition puts people who require major surgery at great risk of developing massive scars.
Blair’s condition was discovered when she was 8. “I wanted to get my ears pierced, but before that at my doctor’s appointment my condition was discovered,” she said.
The condition is genetic and is lifelong; however, it is not typically life-threatening.
Although the condition is not severe, Blair does have to make sure that she takes care of herself because a bad cut or burn could lead to horrible scarring, although she has yet to have an incident leading to severe consequences.
While Blair’s condition does not affect her daily life, it does limit her ability to do certain things. “I can’t get piercings or tattoos, but those are pretty much the only restrictions I can think of,” says Blair. Blair does have to be especially careful in certain places such as amusement parks, sporting events or any other setting with lots of people where she could be susceptible to injury, which would lead to scarring.
Though it is a lifelong condition, Blair is not worried about how it will affect her life and chooses to focus on other things. “My condition doesn’t affect me too much,” she said. “I rarely even think about it.” Blair adds that her parents don’t worry too much about Blair having a major incident either. “They don’t worry too much about my condition; [they] just warn me to be careful,” she said.
School Nurse Amy Caragay has a specific protocol the school uses for students with chronic diseases and conditions, like Blair’s. “We have to talk to the family and the physician of the student with the condition, we need to look at all medical files, the students health care plan, and we come up with a plan for what to do when I’m not present at school (is something should happen),” she said. Nurse Caragay is not at Pioneer High School on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, so this plan ensures students’ health whether or not she is present.
Despite the fact that Blair has to be slightly more careful when in public places than most people, and that she has a few restrictions, she says that she will plan her future without worrying. “As I begin to start looking at colleges, I will not let this condition affect me or influence my future,” she said.