the hidden struggle of a visible skin condition: one woman’s decades-long journey to get a diagnosis
seborrheic dermatitis is common, but because it resembles other skin conditions, patients are often sent down the wrong path in search of relief
published jun 17, 2025
4 minute read
4 minute read
this story is sponsored by
arcutis canada, inc.
this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a client.
for karen douris-wheeler, living with a skin condition was more than just an uncomfortable physical challenge, it was an emotional burden — one that she lived with for more than two decades before a doctor finally put a name to it.
the problem started in her teens, when hairdressers noticed red patches on her scalp that would come and go, sometimes flaring up. the patches were itchy, flaky and weren’t only confined to her scalp; the visible flakes would also show up around her ears, creases around her nose and other areas of her face. during flareups, she avoided wearing black because skin flakes would show up on her clothes.
the red patches on her skin — oily in some areas and dry in others — often left douris-wheeler feeling self-conscious and embarrassed. “there’s a lot of stigma that comes with it,” she says. “people see flakes on your clothes or redness on your face and think you’re unhygienic. i found myself constantly checking my appearance, wondering if others were judging me.”
in 2008, douris-wheeler started seeking help from different doctors trying to get to the bottom of the problem. she explains that health-care providers either brushed her off or misdiagnosed the issue as “a number of different things, from psoriasis to eczema to just dandruff,” says douris-wheeler.
sponsored by:
arcutis canada, inc.
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she tried various products that were recommended to her, some of which were unpleasantly oily or greasy. “although it might provide some relief, it was never a long-term solution,” she says. “it’s been a long battle.”
douris-wheeler, now 51, is married and has a busy life with two kids and two dogs. she says she spent about 24 frustrating years — and countless dollars — looking for an answer to her skin problems.
then came an unexpected breakthrough. in 2022, she was visiting a dermatologist for an unrelated issue when he noticed and correctly diagnosed what was happening with her skin.
“i had never even heard the term ‘seborrheic dermatitis’ until my dermatologist had brought it up to me,” she says.
though she felt some frustration over all the years she’d spent searching for a solution for her skin, the much greater feeling was one of relief — to finally be able to put a name to her condition and have a plan for managing it.
what is seborrheic dermatitis?
seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that results in flaky, greasy skin patches that can look red or irritated. people with darker skin may see hypopigmentation (light patches) as well as, or instead of, redness. seborrheic dermatitis can also cause itchiness and general skin irritation. the condition often begins in adolescence, but it can impact individuals of all ages, from infants to adults.
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seborrheic dermatitis is chronic — it can subside and then repeatedly flare up over a person’s lifetime. as with many people with seborrheic dermatitis, fluctuations in weather can trigger flare-ups for douris-wheeler. cold, dry conditions are the main culprit for her, with symptoms worsening in the winter and improving in the summer. despite her love for outdoor activities like hiking, she would sometimes avoid going outside during flare-ups, as the wind would irritate her skin.
and, like douris-wheeler, many sufferers feel embarrassed and ashamed of their appearance.
seborrheic dermatitis isn’t rare: some 2 million canadians are impacted. yet doctors without specialized dermatology training can find it difficult to distinguish it from other kinds of skin conditions that present similarly.
“i see it every single day in my practice,” says dermatologist dr. melinda gooderham, medical director at skin centre for dermatology in peterborough, ont.
but because seborrheic dermatitis can look like a number of other skin conditions, many patients — like douris-wheeler — are “sent down the wrong path” in search of relief, gooderham says. “without the proper diagnosis, they may be in the store buying different products to try to make it go away or get better.”
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what, then, are the telltale signs of seborrheic dermatitis? as gooderham explains, “it’s more of a greasy scale as opposed to a flaking-off scale you might see with some other conditions.” and it’s typically in areas where there’s a lot of oil production, such as the scalp, the eyebrows, between the eyebrows and around the nose.
how a dermatologist can help
feeling like they’ve tried everything, some people with seborrheic dermatitis give up the search for finding an effective treatment that will offer them relief. gooderham says that after 20 years of limited innovation, novel advances are finally emerging.
newer nonsteroidal, non-greasy formulations — including the latest foam option — are helping people manage seborrheic dermatitis. for anyone wondering whether they may have the condition, consulting a dermatologist is key to getting on the right path.
now, douris-wheeler hopes her experience will inspire others to learn more about seborrheic dermatitis and take the necessary steps to talk to their health-care providers. “if they’re unsure, i encourage them to see their family doctor for a referral to a specialist.”
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“going to the dermatologist and finding the right treatment was a pivotal moment for me — a shift in my outlook that allowed me to feel more confident and empowered in myself,” says douris-wheeler.
for more information on seborrheic dermatitis, visit skinformation.healthing.ca.
this story was created by healthing content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of arcutis canada, inc.
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