Holy Itch!

[Full Head of Hair]

Ok, I've been on finasteride/nizoral for appximatly 1 year so far with decent stabilization of my hair except for my right temple. Yesterday I finally decided to get some minoxidil. It was Equate 5% minoxidil (Wal-mart off brand). I applied it at noon on my hairline and then later again at 9pm. Went to sleep at about midnight and woke up at 4 am with the worst scalp itch of my life. I couldn't fall back asleep. It was unbearable, so it promptly get in the shower and shampoo my hair. It gave me the relief I needed. Is this itch normal? Or is it because I'm using some off brand? I'm not sure I can use minoxidil again with that itch.

 

[hairwegoagain]

Ok, I've been on finasteride/nizoral for appximatly 1 year so far with decent stabilization of my hair except for my right temple. Yesterday I finally decided to get some minoxidil. It was Equate 5% minoxidil (Wal-mart off brand). I applied it at noon on my hairline and then later again at 9pm. Went to sleep at about midnight and woke up at 4 am with the worst scalp itch of my life. I couldn't fall back asleep. It was unbearable, so it promptly get in the shower and shampoo my hair. It gave me the relief I needed. Is this itch normal? Or is it because I'm using some off brand? I'm not sure I can use minoxidil again with that itch.

It's pretty common to experience itching/scaling when beginning minoxidil. In my experience, it's a temporary condition that disappears within a couple weeks' use. I don't believe it's specific to any brand - in fact, I currently use the Equate version with no problems.

 

[zroca]

When I first started 5% minoxidil I would also get that itch my scalp would also break out with big red bumps which would also be very painful (felt like I had been punched on the top of my head). I still kept using the stuff though as it was basically my only hope, of course I would use a less amount to cover the top of my scalp. The itching was still there as where the break outs also, but not as bad. After dealing with it for about a month my scalp got used to it and the itching and breakouts stopped thus allowing me to use a better recommended dosage of minoxidil, it was the best thing I ever did the help my hairloss.

I know how the itching can get irritating at times and you can't help, but to scratch it. This is what I did and still do after applying minoxidil(at night). I wrap a durag around my head, this way if I get an itch I can just rub or pat the area without getting any minoxidil on my hands or worring about scratching any hair of, it also stops the minoxidil from rubbing off all over the pillow and sheets. You can take and old shirt and wrap that around your head, of course after making some modifications to it.

 

[Full Head of Hair]

Well, I've decided to go ahead and stick with the minoxidil, but I'm also adding some spironolactone to the mix. So that leaves me with finasteride, minoxidil, tricomin, nizoral and spironolactone. Of the 3 topicals that I'm using (minoxidil, spironolactone, tricomin) , which would be the best order to apply these?

 

[shutterfly]

I've been on it for over a year. Still itchy.... very itchy.......