Straight talk on Seb Derm

[concernedstudent]

Hi Dr. Rockoff,

There seems to be a plethora of sites linking Seborrheic Dermatitis to HIV, with wildly varying percentages. Some say 10 percent of HIV patients get it, and others say 80 percent.

I have seborrheic dermatitis, and have had so for a couple of years. It is quite mild, but comes and goes (usually every couple of months and especially under stress) which makes me worry. It is normally faint around the nose, a bit on the scalp (two patches or so) with a tiny bit around the ear.

To date, I have NOT had a positive aids test. I am heterosexual, 27 years of age, and have only had sex with condoms with 3 women in the past few years since my last test. I developed the mild condition a year after the first instance of protected sex.  I asked my family doctor about the skin condition and he said it was common, and that he saw it every week. It seems to be under control with coal tar shampoo. I have not had any other physical symptoms of anything.  I do get a little concerned, however, when I search the net at my weakest moments. I guess I'd be better off asking you the following questions:

1. Do you see a lot of Seborrheic dermatitis that is eventually found to be caused by HIV?
2. What percentage of your seborrheic dermatitis patients have HIV?
3. Would it be incorrect to assume HIV based on Seborrheic?
4. Should i stop worrying?

I greatly appreciate your opinion Dr. Rockoff.
Cheers R.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1. Do you see a lot of Seborrheic dermatitis that is eventually found to be caused by HIV?
No.
2. What percentage of your seborrheic dermatitis patients have HIV?
Zero.
3. Would it be incorrect to assume HIV based on Seborrheic?
Yes.
4. Should i stop worrying?
Yes.

Dr. Rockoff