Simone Biles Misread Years of Itching as Dandruff; Doctors Found Two Distinct Skin Conditions

# Quick summary Simone Biles, 29, dealt for years with severe scalp itching and flaking and assumed it was dandruff. She delayed seeing a dermatologist because of a busy schedule and concern about visible flakes during the Olympics. After scratching until her scalp bled, she sought medical care and received two diagnoses: seborrheic dermatitis on her face and scalp, and eczema on her arms.

# How she handled it before seeing a doctor Biles tried over-the-counter products for a long time and said she was in denial about needing professional help. The condition worsened to the point of bleeding, which finally pushed her to visit a dermatologist.

# The medical diagnosis explained

• Seborrheic dermatitis: Identified on Biles's face and scalp. It targets oily areas like scalp and face and is often linked to an overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast on the skin. The Cleveland Clinic describes it as a specific type of eczema affecting oily areas.
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Diagnosed on her arms. The Cleveland Clinic notes eczema as a chronic condition that damages the skin's protective barrier.

Both conditions are inflammatory, not infectious, and not contagious. As dermatologist Dr. Angela J. Lamb told People, "It's not an infection. It's not contagious."

# Current treatment and public work Biles now uses targeted prescription topical treatments: ZORYVE foam for her face and scalp and ZORYVE cream for her arms. She is partnering with Arcutis Biotherapeutics on the "Skin to Believe In" campaign to encourage people to seek professional help early and to reduce stigma around chronic skin issues. Biles told People the goal is to get people relief rather than silently suffering.

# Practical takeaways for readers

• Visible flakes or persistent scalp itching that doesn't respond to over-the-counter remedies warrants a dermatologist visit, especially if itching causes bleeding or skin damage.
• Seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis can co-exist in different body areas and require different topical approaches.
• Neither condition implies infection or contagiousness, so avoid assuming transmission risk when deciding whether to seek treatment or discuss symptoms with others.

# Short action checklist

• If OTC shampoos and creams don't improve symptoms, schedule a dermatology appointment.
• Note when symptoms flare (weather, stress, new products) to help the clinician identify triggers.
• Ask about prescription topical options if OTC products fail, and follow up if symptoms worsen or spread.

# Closing note