This should be a common concern for all keloid patients. Although the pathogenesis of keloids is not well understood, genetic factors certainly play a role. The majority of keloids are disseminated, while only a few run in families, with a reported heritability of about 3%. Most experts believe that the mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant, but with an incomplete epistasis, meaning that the children may not necessarily develop the disease even though they carry the causative gene.
In short, if one of one’s parents has a keloid, one’s chances of developing the disease are somewhat higher than those without a family history. Therefore, it is recommended that those with a family history refrain from having their ears pierced and try to avoid skin damage. And if you have keloids yourself, then the chance of passing them on to the next generation is about 3%.