Famed Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles is speaking out about her challenging battle with “miserable” skin conditions, specifically seborrheic dermatitis and eczema. In a recent interview, the decorated athlete revealed that she spent years misidentifying her symptoms as simple dandruff, enduring significant discomfort before seeking professional medical intervention.
“I was itching and flaking. I would itch so hard and use a comb that I would bleed,” Biles shared. “I was just like, ‘I can’t live like this. I’m itching. I’m miserable. I feel uncomfortable. I need to see someone who can give me relief.’”
Navigating Symptoms and Misconceptions
The persistent itching and flaking, which were concentrated around the crown of her head, became particularly difficult to manage leading up to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Biles admitted that she was initially in denial, relying on various over-the-counter treatments that failed to address the root cause. As the condition spread to her arms, she realized the situation required more than just home remedies.
Biles noted that her demanding schedule as a world-class athlete often prevented her from prioritizing a dermatologist visit. However, the pressure of the Olympic stage eventually forced her hand. “I didn’t go to the dermatologist immediately because I’m so busy,” she explained. “I was always in the gym, I was always traveling, so I didn’t take that step, but it finally got so bad. At the Olympics, I was flaking everywhere, so I was afraid that someone would see it on the TV… that’s why I finally went.”
Advocating for Professional Care
Following her diagnosis, Biles began using ZORYVE to manage her symptoms on both her face and scalp. Now, she is partnering with Arcutis Biotherapeutics for the “Skin to Believe In” campaign, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about inflammatory skin conditions. Her goal is to ensure that others suffering from similar issues do not feel forced to endure their symptoms in silence.
“Once we know that we can’t fix every problem on our own, it’s okay to get help,” Biles emphasized. “Once we raise awareness, then they can get that relief that they deserve. That’s really what it’s about, not silently suffering. There is help out there for you.”
Biles encourages those struggling with their skin to take the initiative to consult with medical professionals. “We just have to take that first initiative to go see a dermatologist and to get that relief because they deserve that. These are the trusted professionals… they’ve worked their whole entire lives to treat people for these causes. It’s just incredible that we have these resources.”