Doctors at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a novel method to study seborrheic dermatitis (SD), a common skin condition characterized by itchy, red, and flaky skin. Their research, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, involved using sticky tape to collect skin cells from 28 adults with SD instead of traditional biopsies.
The use of tape strips is not new in dermatology but has been applied for the first time to identify immune and lipid changes in SD patients. This technique allows scientists to examine the top layer of skin painlessly, revealing important information about underlying immune activity.
The study discovered that certain immune signals, known as interleukins, are highly active in individuals with SD. These proteins serve as chemical messengers between cells and can trigger inflammation when overactive. The researchers noted similarities between the immune responses in SD and psoriasis but also identified unique patterns specific to SD.
Lead author Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD, highlighted the significance of this research: “Seborrheic dermatitis is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes itching and scaling on the face, scalp, chest, and skin folds, affecting up to 5 percent of adults.” She added that this study marks “the largest transcriptomic study to date on seborrheic dermatitis” using non-invasive tape strips.
Benjamin Ungar, MD, emphasized the benefits of this approach: “Tape strips are less invasive than biopsies… making them less than ideal for young or sensitive patients.” He expressed excitement about using this noninvasive method to better understand seborrheic dermatitis.
The research was supported by Arcutis Biotherapeutics Inc., along with funding from the Icahn School of Medicine Clinical Translational Science Award TL-1 program. For more detailed findings and contributions visit: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(25)00180-X/fulltext
For further information about Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology visit: https://www.mountsinai.org/dermatology
Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine is renowned for its research and educational programs. It partners with seven hospitals within the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. The institution offers competitive degree programs and has a significant graduate medical education program.
