Effect of Oral Minoxidil on Monilethrix

March 2025 in “ International Journal of Trichology ”

Nikollas Munhoz, Natalia Caballero Uribe, Ralph M. Trüeb

oral minoxidil monilethrix female androgenetic alopecia hair shaft diversity hair thickness anagen duration hair cortex keratin genes Rogaine

Studysummary This case report describes a 14-year-old female patient with monilethrix who developed female androgenetic alopecia at age 23, and found that oral minoxidil treatment improved her androgenetic alopecia while leaving the underlying structural hair anomalies of monilethrix unchanged.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document discusses a case study of a 14-year-old female with monilethrix, a genetic hair disorder characterized by fragile, beaded hair, who developed female androgenetic alopecia (AGA) at age 23. She was successfully treated with 1.25 mg oral minoxidil, which improved hair thickness and diversity of hair shaft diameters, although the structural anomaly of monilethrix persisted. The study highlights that while no specific treatment exists for monilethrix, minoxidil can be beneficial for comorbid AGA, enhancing hair length and thickness. The report emphasizes the importance of recognizing multiple causal relationships in hair disorders and the advantage of oral minoxidil in reducing trauma to fragile hair compared to topical applications.

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research Treatment of Monilethrix with Oral Minoxidil

37 citations , May 2016 in “JAAD case reports”

This abstract describes monilethrix, an autosomal dominant genodermatosis with symptoms like hair fragility and keratosis pilaris, and does not report new experimental results.

research Monilethrix Treated with Minoxidil

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In this small study, topical minoxidil 2% was associated with an increase in normal hair shaft production in patients with Monilethrix without any reported side effects.

research An Autosomal Recessive Form of Monilethrix Is Caused by Mutations in DSG4: Clinical Overlap with Localized Autosomal Recessive Hypotrichosis

97 citations , March 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study identified four novel DSG4 mutations associated with monilethrix in 12 Jewish families, suggesting a recessive inheritance pattern and broader prevalence of DSG4-related hair disorders than previously recognized.

research Acquired Hair Fragility in Pili Anulati: Causal Relationship with Androgenetic Alopecia

9 citations , January 2001 in “Dermatology”

This study reports two cases where pili anulati, typically a non-fragile hair condition, showed increased fragility due to androgenetic alopecia, causing hair shaft fracturing in the affected area.

research Topical Minoxidil in Monilethrix

13 citations , January 1991 in “Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth in people with monilethrix without side effects.