Quit Minoxidil - Scalp Irritation Gone

[dralex]

I have been using minoxidil and propecia for 2.5 years now. I would never miss a treatment even though my hair loss has continued since starting treatments. I do think my hair loss has slowed, but I have continued to lose hair. After a few months of starting treatments I had serious scalp irritation, with raised red scaly areas on my scalp. These red areas were very irritating and often itched. The symptoms (itching, pain) sometimes went away, but there always seemed to be some redness in the affected areas. I assumed minoxidil may have been a possible cause, but my dermatologist insisted that I do not quit the minoxidil and that if I do I may lose a large amount of hair. He said that it isn't possible that the minoxidil is causing the irritation and that he has had no patients report this symptom from minoxidil.

Finally, around 1 month ago I decided to just quit the stuff because my hair kept getting worse anyway (still on propecia), and what do you know, the red irritated areas on my scalp are gone. I will see if I have a huge shed in the next couple months after quitting, but it is a huge relief to no longer have this irritation and itching. I probably should have quit this stuff long ago, especially because I have had no regrowth from it, but I listened to my dermatologist anyway because I figured he would be the expert on this matter. Guess it shows, you gotta listen to your body, and can't rely on what your doctors are always saying.

I will keep you guys posted on whether the irritation resumes or if I experience a big shed from quitting this stuff.

 

[Massive]

I'm assuming you obviously already tried foam/pg free solutions?

 

[dralex]

I'm assuming you obviously already tried foam/pg free solutions?

Started with kirkland minoxidil foam, was experiencing irritation with that. Switched to rogaine brand foam, and still experienced irritation. I then switched to the liquid form of rogaine, and experienced less irritation, but still experienced irritation. Liquid form was a b**ch though, because it made my hair super greasy. I also tried Lipogaine (which is liquid form), and had the least irritation with that, but some irritation still persisted and this stuff made my hair look greasier than any of the others.

 

[Massive]

Started with kirkland minoxidil foam, was experiencing irritation with that. Switched to rogaine brand foam, and still experienced irritation. I then switched to the liquid form of rogaine, and experienced less irritation, but still experienced irritation. Liquid form was a b**ch though, because it made my hair super greasy. I also tried Lipogaine (which is liquid form), and had the least irritation with that, but some irritation still persisted and this stuff made my hair look greasier than any of the others.

Damn dude sorry to hear. Looks like you did pretty much try all your options. Ive been using Kirkland foam for both my hair and beard twice a day, I use shitloads on my scalp, I finish a bottle in 1.5 weeks. For my beard I don't need to use that much as I keep short stubble and it's easy to apply. Prior to that I tried Kirkland liquid and it made me wanna peel off my scalp and my neck and cheeks were extremely itchy. With the foam I'm doing quite fine and itching is very minimal, I canlive with it.

I wonder if your irritation is also due to the alcohol, I think there should be alcohol & pg solutions that you can try as a last resort. Other than that you could try a low dose oral minoxidil, but that decision should not be taken lightly at all and you will need to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure, and if your get elevated heart rate or low bp it's best to quit right away.

It seems like you developed an allergic reaction to the actual minoxidil. I hope more experienced users that suffered a similar condition could help you.

 

[dralex]

Damn dude sorry to hear. Looks like you did pretty much try all your options. Ive been using Kirkland foam for both my hair and beard twice a day, I use shitloads on my scalp, I finish a bottle in 1.5 weeks. For my beard I don't need to use that much as I keep short stubble and it's easy to apply. Prior to that I tried Kirkland liquid and it made me wanna peel off my scalp and my neck and cheeks were extremely itchy. With the foam I'm doing quite fine and itching is very minimal, I canlive with it.

I wonder if your irritation is also due to the alcohol, I think there should be alcohol & pg solutions that you can try as a last resort. Other than that you could try a low dose oral minoxidil, but that decision should not be taken lightly at all and you will need to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure, and if your get elevated heart rate or low bp it's best to quit right away.

It seems like you developed an allergic reaction to the actual minoxidil. I hope more experienced users that suffered a similar condition could help you.

I am not sure I am a responder to minoxidil either though (so the oral dose may not be beneficial), as I have experienced no regrowth whatsoever (no peach fuzz hairs or anything) and I have continued to lose hair even in the areas I have applied it.
The one area I think minoxidil may have been benefiting me is it may have been lowering my bp. I have high bp, and I have noticed over my last few doctors visits since using minoxidil my bp has been in the normal range. May just be a coincidence though.

 

[youngguyhairloss]

same happened to me i quit for two months used a topical steroid for the irritation and when it all went away i went back on minoxidil while using t gel eod and been on for about 6 months and i have no problems now also been using finasteride

 

[rclark]

One word to stop irriation - FOAM.

 

[Suswang]

Truth be told, it is commonplace to have irritation with the liquid -- to the foam is rare.