TLDR A 2-year-old boy grew excessive hair after using minoxidil for hair loss, but it improved when the treatment stopped.
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.
164 citations,
April 2008 in “Cochrane library” Current treatments for alopecia show no significant long-term benefits.
58 citations,
January 2007 in “Dermatology” Minoxidil use in children may cause heart issues.
18 citations,
January 1997 in “British Journal of Dermatology” 5% topical minoxidil can cause severe body hair growth, which disappears after stopping treatment.
20 citations,
March 1994 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Too much topical minoxidil can cause excessive hair growth, but stopping treatment reverses it.
36 citations,
March 1987 in “Pediatrics” Minoxidil use during pregnancy can cause excessive hair growth and multiple birth defects in the baby.
1 citations,
September 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Baricitinib helps grow eyebrows and eyelashes in severe alopecia areata patients.
17 citations,
October 2013 in “F1000Research” A 2-year-old boy grew excessive hair after using minoxidil for hair loss, but it improved when the treatment stopped.
July 2013 in “DeckerMed Medicine” The document's conclusion cannot be provided because the document is not readable or understandable.
20 citations,
March 1994 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Too much topical minoxidil can cause excessive hair growth, but stopping treatment reverses it.
24 citations,
February 1987 in “Drugs” Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.
