Contact Dermatitis Caused By Topical Minoxidil: Case Reports And Review Of The Literature
March 1991
in “
American Journal of Contact Dermatitis
”
Studysummary In this study, 67 patients developed contact dermatitis from using minoxidil for hair loss, with patch tests suggesting it is a frequent sensitizer among topical drugs.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document reported that 67 patients using minoxidil for hair loss developed contact dermatitis, with 25 showing a positive patch test reaction to minoxidil, and one also reacting to propylene glycol. Two patients had a positive photopatch test despite a negative patch test. Allergic contact dermatitis was more common in long-term users, indicating minoxidil as a frequent sensitizer among topical drugs. The study suggested that patch and photopatch tests should be conducted for patients with local side effects to identify those sensitized to minoxidil, as patients with irritative dermatitis could often continue treatment.
