A trip to the barbershop is usually therapeutic for black men: they get to talk about their issues with other men, laugh and get cleaned up at the same time. But one man’s visit to the barbershop was the exact opposite of that and left with a life-altering condition that’s become debilitating.
Wisconsin native, Keith Crowell developed “keloids” on his skin about 12 years ago, according to WITI. Keloids are described as a scar composed primarily of collagen.
When you think of keloids, most of us can imagine a growth on the earlobe or even along the base of the back of the neck. But Crowell’s keloids are different — much different.
When skin is injured, fibrous tissue, called scar
tissue, forms over the wound to repair and protect the injury. In some cases, scar tissue grows excessively, forming smooth, hard growths called keloids. Keloids can be much larger than the original wound.
They’re most commonly found on the chest, shoulders, earlobes, and cheeks. However, keloids can affect any part of the body.
Keloids are normally not harmful to the body, but as a result of his keloids, Crowell has difficulty swallowing and hearing properly.
“I had a bad reaction when I went to a barber and he gave me shave and nicked me on both sides,” Crowell tells station, WTKR.
The nicks didn’t heal. Instead, mounds of skin grew on his face
and neck.
“It can be devastating. Sometimes I feel real bad,” Crowell said.
He has had two surgeries — each removing nearly 40 pounds of flesh, but those operations proved unsuccessful, as the growths returned later, and even larger.
“I want to be like, a normal person,” Crowell said.
He now has that opportunity, as he has located a specialist to help with his situation.
“There’s a doctor in New York that can solve my solution. He has a 96% rate that he can resolve my issue and I love those odds,” Crowell said.
But there is one problem: his insurance won’t cover the treatment. “They rejected my claim saying it was cosmetic surgery. I feel it’s not cosmetic. This is my livelihood. This is my life right here,” Crowell said.
Crowell said he’s ready to take the chance, hopeful that his physical and emotional pain will come to an end.
“I use baby oil to minimize the discomfort. I use simple everything, and I clean it every night with peroxide,” Crowell said.
Crowell said he’s looking to the Lord for hope, and has faith that his life will soon change for the better.
Keith has set up a GoFundMe fundraising page for help with doctor visits and fees surrounding seeking help.
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