Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Minoxidil

July 1987 in “ Contact Dermatitis ”

R. Valsecchi, T. Cinelli

minoxidil androgenic alopecia allergic contact dermatitis patch testing Yunnan Paiyao Rogaine

Studysummary This article describes cases of allergic contact dermatitis triggered by minoxidil but provides no new clinical findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

In the document, a case of allergic contact dermatitis from the use of a 2% minoxidil solution is reported. A 22-year-old male with androgenic alopecia developed symptoms including burning, pruritus, and red papules and vesicles on his scalp, neck, and eyebrows after using the solution for 3 weeks. Patch testing showed a negative response to the standard series but a positive reaction to the minoxidil lotion. Five control subjects tested negative with the same lotion. The document suggests that while minoxidil's sensitizing potential is low, its increasing use for various types of alopecia may lead to more cases of allergic contact dermatitis. The document also briefly mentions allergic contact dermatitis from a Chinese herbal preparation named Yunnan Paiyao, but the main focus is on the minoxidil case.

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Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Minoxidil

29 citations , August 1985 in “Contact Dermatitis”

Minoxidil can cause allergic reactions like burning, itching, and red bumps.

research Topical Minoxidil Therapy and Hair Regrowth

20 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This report discusses the potential of minoxidil for treating hair loss, spurred by early findings of hair regrowth in some patients, but emphasizes the need for further research to establish its safety and efficacy.

research Topical Minoxidil Therapy in Hereditary Androgenetic Alopecia

55 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that 32% of patients with hereditary male pattern baldness experienced cosmetically acceptable hair growth after applying topical minoxidil twice daily, with no serious side effects reported.

research Topical Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth

80 citations , September 1984 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, 5% topical minoxidil was observed to promote hair regrowth in some patients with androgenic alopecia, while no regrowth was noted in patients with alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata Treated With Topical Minoxidil

78 citations , April 1984 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that 1% minoxidil topical solution led to terminal hair regrowth in some patients with alopecia areata, though it was only cosmetically acceptable in less than half of those cases.

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , October 1983 in “BMJ”

This study found that 1% topical minoxidil induced significant hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata, though it was less effective for those with extensive hair loss such as alopecia totalis and universalis.

research Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia Areata

56 citations , August 1981 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata safely.