If you’ve been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. You might wonder what caused it. How long will your symptoms last? And what is the best way to treat this skin condition?

While your dermatology provider is the best resource to address your specific concerns, you can get some questions answered before your next medical appointment.

To address some questions about seborrheic dermatitis, we interviewed Dr. Raj Chovatiya, a dermatologist and assistant professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He researches seborrheic dermatitis and treats people living with the skin condition. We asked Dr. Chovatiya to share the three questions patients most often ask about seborrheic dermatitis.

Read on and watch the video for Dr. Chovatiya’s answers to the three most frequently asked questions about seborrheic dermatitis. With this basic knowledge, you can feel confident advocating for yourself at your next dermatology appointment.

1. What Caused Your Seborrheic Dermatitis?

The first question you may be wondering about is, what caused your seborrheic dermatitis? Unfortunately, there’s no easy, straightforward answer to this question.

While there’s no clear cause of seborrheic dermatitis, there are several factors that can play a role in the development of the condition. They include biological and environmental factors, as well as certain health conditions like Parkinson’s disease, HIV infection, and depression. You may have had one or several of these factors that worked together in combination to cause your seborrheic dermatitis.

When it comes to how seborrheic dermatitis affects the skin, there are several components. One of those is inflammation, explained Dr. Chovatiya. An “activation of a wide variety of different cells,” including those in the immune system, contributes to the skin inflammation seen with seborrheic dermatitis.

Another factor is a yeast called Malassezia or pityrosporum. This yeast lives on the surface of everyone’s skin. Some people with seborrheic dermatitis have an that results in skin inflammation and other symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

The skin barrier may also play a role in the development of seborrheic dermatitis. “Perhaps individuals with seborrheic dermatitis don’t have the best or most optimal skin barrier,” said Dr. Chovatiya. Symptoms like dry and flaky skin, rough patches, and skin infections can be signs of a damaged skin barrier.

2. Is There a Cure for Seborrheic Dermatitis?

There is presently no cure for seborrheic dermatitis. However, Dr. Chovatiya said, “That doesn’t mean that we won’t get to that point in the future.” As research continues and new technology develops, a cure for seborrheic dermatitis is hopefully on the horizon.

Currently, there are several treatment options for seborrheic dermatitis. They aim to target different aspects of the condition, like inflammation, Malassezia yeast, and the skin barrier. There are topical and oral medications that address yeast overgrowth, medications that help inflammation by calming the activity of the immune system, and gentle bathing and cleansing practices that help preserve the integrity of the skin barrier. Your dermatologist might recommend one or a combination of medications to manage your symptoms.

3. How Can You Live Better With Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Another common question Dr. Chovatiya receives from people with seborrheic dermatitis is, “How can I best manage life with this condition?”

While seborrheic dermatitis causes skin symptoms, it can also affect other areas of your life. Itching can be severe, impacting your quality of life and ability to get enough sleep. Skin symptoms and how you feel about them may also affect your social life and your performance at school or work.

To address these feelings, Dr. Chovatiya said, “It starts with understanding … that it’s not something you did to yourself and not something that’s contagious, but rather a chronic condition that is going to flare and wax and wane.”

Additionally, there are treatments to help you manage the condition. Treatment may be long term, since seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition.

To find the treatment that will work best for you, Dr. Chovatiya said, “It’s really crucial to work with your health care provider to figure out what that might be.” He suggested that once you understand the condition and start a treatment plan you’re comfortable with, you can get to a place where seborrheic dermatitis isn’t going to be a major concern in your life.

Talk With Others Who Understand

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

Do you have questions about seborrheic dermatitis? How do you prepare for your dermatologist appointments? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.