First impressions are hard. Whether you’re conscious of it or not, a few seconds is all anyone needs to make a judgment based on your looks. People with seborrheic dermatitis know all too well what it feels like to be judged for their appearance. Misunderstandings and assumptions can add to the judgment around a skin condition like seborrheic dermatitis.

One MySebDermTeam member said that they have a lot of stress and anxiety about their condition, and this worry only makes it more difficult: “I want to live a normal life. This makes me sad and overwhelmed. I wonder if I have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition, and developing it is in no way your fault. Even babies can get seborrheic dermatitis, which is called cradle cap. There is no exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis, but scientists think it’s caused by a combination of factors. Yet, common misconceptions about the condition prevail, such as the mistaken belief that it’s caused by a lack of hygiene or that it’s contagious.

Below we break down five common misunderstandings people might have about seborrheic dermatitis.

Misunderstanding No. 1: Seborrheic Dermatitis Is Caused by Bad Hygiene

A popular misconception of seborrheic dermatitis is that it’s the result of poor hygiene. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

You can wash your face morning and night and still get seborrheic dermatitis. You can scrub your scalp with expensive luxury brand shampoos and still not completely prevent dandruff and irritation. That’s because seborrheic dermatitis is considered an inflammatory condition caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

According to the National Eczema Association (NEA), one proposed cause of seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction to an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast — a type of yeast that lives on the skin. Most people’s bodies don’t react to this yeast, but an overgrowth of the yeast may trigger an immune system reaction in some people. This reaction can cause inflammation and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

Factors that may play a role in seborrheic dermatitis include:

• Stress
• Changes in climate and weather
• Hormonal changes
• Some medications
• Certain illnesses

Researchers also have found an association between seborrheic dermatitis with certain medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or immunocompromising diseases like HIV.

Though poor hygiene doesn’t cause seborrheic dermatitis, health experts have self-care tips for managing the condition. The American Academy of Dermatology advises showering often and gently washing your face twice a day, followed by rinsing thoroughly and moisturizing. People with mustaches and beards may want to consider using medicated soap in these areas. If your seborrheic dermatitis symptoms occur mainly on your scalp, ask your dermatologist what shampoo they recommend to help relieve symptoms and help prevent white flakes.

Misunderstanding No. 2: Seborrheic Dermatitis Causes Hair Loss

Seborrheic dermatitis commonly affects the scalp, causing symptoms including flaky dandruff, itchiness, and skin irritation. On darker skin, a rash may look darker than the skin around it. Hair loss, however, is not considered a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis because the skin condition doesn’t directly cause hair loss.

The American Hair Loss Association classifies seborrheic dermatitis as a skin condition, one that can cause further irritation and inflammation from constant scratching. Hair follicles, which produce hair, cannot grow well on areas of inflamed skin, and they can become damaged from constant scratching. Therefore, scratching and rubbing of the scalp may lead to hair loss.

There’s good news for people with seborrheic dermatitis who do experience hair loss: It’s often temporary and reversible. Seborrheic dermatitis treatments such as creams and dandruff shampoo can help decrease inflammation and symptoms like itching. Reduced itchiness and scratching will give your hair time to grow back.

Misunderstanding No. 3: Seborrheic Dermatitis Is the Same as Rosacea or Psoriasis

A telltale sign of seborrheic dermatitis is a rash. When it presents on the face, people with lighter skin tones are more likely to have a red, raised rash with white or yellow scales, while people with darker skin tones experience lighter spots or a rash that’s darker than their skin color.

At first glance, a seborrheic dermatitis rash can look similar to rosacea, another skin condition that causes facial discoloration, but the two conditions are clinically unrelated. Adding to the confusion is that rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis can appear on the face at the same time. A survey from the National Rosacea Society found that 25 percent of people with rosacea had also been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis.

There are several features that can help you tell what’s rosacea and what’s seborrheic dermatitis. Research has found that people with rosacea were more likely to show spiderlike blood vessels, while the majority of people with seborrheic dermatitis showed patches on the skin.

Additionally, rosacea mainly occurs in the face and eyes. Less common is the chest and neck area. Seborrheic dermatitis, on the other hand, can occur anywhere on the body, except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. However, it’s more likely to show up on the scalp and the oily parts of your face, such as the nose, ears, eyebrows, and eyelids.

Seborrheic dermatitis can also be easily mistaken for scalp psoriasis. Both conditions cause inflamed skin that causes itching and crusty or scaly-looking patches. Since these conditions share similar features, you may want to see a dermatologist who is trained to tell the subtle differences. They may also look at your fingernails, because psoriasis can cause discoloration and tiny dents in them.

Misunderstanding No. 4: Allergies Cause Seborrheic Dermatitis

Dermatologists haven’t determined the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis, but they have ruled out allergies as a culprit. Some allergy symptoms are similar to those of seborrheic dermatitis, like redness and itchiness of the skin. However, the National Eczema Association states that seborrheic dermatitis is not an allergy.

Notably, though, some substances can trigger seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups, including harsh detergents, solvents, chemicals, and soaps, according to the NEA.

Misunderstanding No. 5: Moisturizing Will Make Your Face Greasy and More Prone to Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis affects the oiliest areas of skin, such as the scalp, face, and chest. Because people with seborrheic dermatitis tend to produce an excess amount of sebum (the body’s natural oil), they might think that they don’t need to use a moisturizer. However, excess oil production may actually be a sign of dry skin.

When the skin is dry, it may signal your body to produce sebum. In turn, it may produce too much of the oil, which can create an ideal environment for Malassezia yeast and bacteria to grow. It can also cause clogged pores and acne breakouts. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using dandruff shampoo, gently washing your face with pyrithione zinc twice a day, and applying a fragrance-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, 5,600 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand.

What misunderstandings have you encountered about seborrheic dermatitis? What advice do you have for others living with the condition? Share your tips and experiences in a comment below or in your Activity feed.