TLDR Dermoscopy can't help doctors identify scalp irritation caused by topical minoxidil.
A study conducted in 2008 involving 32 participants aimed to determine if dermoscopy could aid in diagnosing scalp contact dermatitis due to topical minoxidil. The participants were divided into three groups: 7 patients with contact dermatitis due to topical minoxidil, 6 patients with intense scalp itching during treatment with topical minoxidil but with negative patch tests, and 19 controls. The study found no statistical differences in the vascular patterns and scales between the three groups. The conclusion was that dermoscopy could not help clinicians distinguish scalp contact dermatitis due to topical minoxidil from other conditions causing severe scalp itching, as minoxidil contact dermatitis did not produce increased or altered scalp vessels or significant scalp scaling when evaluated with dermoscopy.
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April 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Scalp dermoscopy is good for diagnosing a type of hair loss and helps choose the best spots for biopsy.
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February 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Minoxidil can cause skin allergy; use alternative solvents or treatments if allergic.
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February 2001 in “PubMed” Allergic scalp reactions can cause temporary hair loss.
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January 2021 in “Cureus” A woman had an allergic skin reaction to a hair loss treatment containing minoxidil and should not use it.
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January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders” A man developed an allergic skin reaction from a therapy cap used for hair loss treatment.
The woman has unexplained hair loss and it's unclear what her condition is or how to treat it.
7 citations,
January 2009 in “International Journal of Trichology” Dermoscopy can't help doctors identify scalp irritation caused by topical minoxidil.
