Followup- Info forgot to add

Hi Doc,

So upon further inspection, looking really closely at my nose, i saw a small yellowish greasy spot on the side of my nose with a tiny bit of peeling. It is very small and has to be looked at closely to really be noticed but there is a bit of peeling on both sides. (i have been putting creams on it too maybe thats why?) I am convinced it is seb derm, and i remember noticing it before thinking nothing of it. Just to remind you, I am 25, male, presumably in good health

All my life i have had flaky skin on the scalp, and rather oily skin with intermittent acne. I wrote Dr. H. in the STD forum and went over my concerns and again he re-assured me that my risk is "essentially zero" from everything i described (barber nick, protected hetero sex). What has made me scared, is realizing seb derm is associated with HIV through the research i have done. Do you see healthy people with Seborrheic Dermatitis? I mean, researching on the net has made me think its an HIV exclusive condition. I am thinking how can i have this disease if my risks are "esssentially zero"? I hope to put this to bed before i go bankrupt writing into medhelp.

thanks again ,
Bill

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I don't know where you got the idea that seborrjeic dermatitis is exclusive to HIV.  In fact, it's very common at all ages from infancy on up.  Seeing a routine +case raises no concerns at all about immune issues.  Actually, your description doesn't even sound like seborrhea--it sounds like a little spot that means nothing at all.

Time to move on, I think.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff