TLDR Oral minoxidil is a reasonably safe alternative for patients allergic to the topical form.
The document presents a study involving 9 female patients who developed an allergy to topical minoxidil, a common treatment for female pattern hair loss. These patients had been using topical minoxidil for an average of 4.8 years before developing acute contact dermatitis. Patch testing confirmed that the allergy was to minoxidil itself, not the propylene glycol commonly found in the solution. The study explored the use of low-dose oral minoxidil (0.25 mg twice a day) as an alternative treatment. The patients tolerated the oral medication without side effects for an average period of 17 months, ranging from 7 to 33 months. The study suggests that oral minoxidil is a reasonably safe alternative for patients with an allergy to the topical form, with the caveat that patients should be advised to discontinue use if cutaneous side effects occur.
53 citations,
August 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil 5% both effectively improve female-pattern hair loss with safe side effects.
52 citations,
May 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Low-dose oral minoxidil effectively improves male hair loss with mild side effects.
80 citations,
December 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone combo effectively reduces hair loss and improves hair density in women.
123 citations,
February 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Minoxidil can cause skin allergy; use alternative solvents or treatments if allergic.
7 citations,
January 2021 in “Cureus” A woman had an allergic skin reaction to a hair loss treatment containing minoxidil and should not use it.
8 citations,
April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Oral minoxidil is a reasonably safe alternative for patients allergic to the topical form.
4 citations,
January 2017 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal” A child used a hair growth lotion for hair loss, but it caused excessive hair growth on his face and neck instead.
38 citations,
June 2005 in “Contact Dermatitis” Patient had scalp allergy from minoxidil; test helped identify cause and suggest alternative treatments.
123 citations,
February 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Minoxidil can cause skin allergy; use alternative solvents or treatments if allergic.
29 citations,
August 1985 in “Contact Dermatitis” Minoxidil can cause allergic reactions like burning, itching, and red bumps.
