Minoxidil induced hypertrichosis in a 2 year-old child

In 2013, a case was reported of a 2-year-old male patient who developed generalized hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) after 2 months of treatment with 5% minoxidil foam for alopecia areata. The child's mother admitted to possibly applying more product than instructed. The patient showed no other side effects and minoxidil was discontinued, leading to significant improvement in hypertrichosis and scalp alopecia areata at a two-month follow-up. The report emphasized the risk of prescribing topical minoxidil to young children and the importance of proper instruction on its administration. The authors concluded that the potential for systemic absorption contraindicates this treatment in young children, who can develop serious cutaneous or systemic side effects. They suggested safer alternative treatments for alopecia areata in children, such as topical immunotherapy and topical anthraline application.