Contact Dermatitis Caused by Topical Minoxidil: Allergy or Just Irritation

    April 2025 in “ Acta Dermato Venereologica
    Alexandra Junge, Susanne Radonjic‐Hoesli, Simon Bossart, Dagmar Simon, Pierre de Viragh, Robert E. Hunger, Kristine Heidemeyer, S. Morteza Seyed Jafari
    TLDR Accurate diagnosis is crucial to distinguish between allergy and irritation from topical minoxidil.
    This article reviews the distinction between allergic and irritant contact dermatitis caused by topical minoxidil, a treatment for androgenic alopecia. Out of 251 records, 21 studies were included, showing that most patients exhibited symptoms like erythema, pruritus, and increased scalp scaling. Patch testing is recommended to confirm or exclude an allergy to minoxidil or its vehicle components, with 54 patients sensitized to minoxidil and 12 to vehicle components. The study emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis to guide treatment and suggests alternative formulations for those sensitive to propylene glycol.
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