Minoxidil

A 30-year-old woman developed pustular contact dermatitis after using minoxidil 5% for androgenetic alopecia. She presented with pustular, pruriginous lesions on an erythematous area of her forehead and scalp after one week of treatment. Physical examination revealed papulopustules and papulovesicles on an oedematous, erythematous area. Without a biopsy, a diagnosis of drug-induced pustular contact dermatitis was made. The minoxidil treatment was stopped, and after five days of corticosteroid treatment, the lesions completely resolved. The authors noted that while minoxidil is the only approved treatment for female pattern hair loss and is commonly used, it has been associated with scalp allergic contact dermatitis, making this case an uncommon reaction to a frequently used drug.