TLDR Minoxidil can cause skin irritation like eczema and rash in some users.
This document discusses two cases of contact dermatitis caused by the use of topical Minoxidil for hair regrowth. The patients experienced symptoms such as eczema, rash, and swelling after using the lotion for a few weeks to a few months. Patch tests confirmed that the sensitizing agent was Minoxidil and not propylene glycol. The authors suggest that while the sensitizing potential of Minoxidil is not great, extensive use of the drug for alopecia may lead to more cases of contact dermatitis. The document also briefly mentions a case of contact dermatitis caused by chemicals in the black rubber of eyelash curlers.
20 citations,
February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology” Minoxidil helps hair regrowth, especially with more indeterminate hairs.
55 citations,
February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology” Using minoxidil on the scalp can help grow hair for people with hereditary baldness.
80 citations,
September 1984 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” 5% minoxidil helps hair regrowth in androgenic alopecia.
15 citations,
October 1981 in “Archives of internal medicine” Minoxidil can cause severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome in rare cases.
56 citations,
August 1981 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata safely.
7 citations,
January 2009 in “International Journal of Trichology” Dermoscopy can't help doctors identify scalp irritation caused by topical minoxidil.
14 citations,
July 1987 in “Contact Dermatitis” A small percentage of minoxidil users may develop an allergic skin reaction.
13 citations,
January 1988 in “Contact Dermatitis” Some patients using Minoxidil for baldness developed allergic skin reactions.
38 citations,
June 2005 in “Contact Dermatitis” Patient had scalp allergy from minoxidil; test helped identify cause and suggest alternative treatments.
74 citations,
April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Minoxidil and finasteride are effective for male hair loss, minoxidil for female hair loss, and various treatments like corticosteroids work for alopecia areata; treatment should be tailored to the individual.
17 citations,
December 2001 in “Dermatologic therapy” Different treatments for alopecia areata have unpredictable results and varying success rates.
