Possible allergy to minoxidil?

[bv3131]

Hey guys, I originally posted this in another forum last month, but didn't have any luck with it, so I figured I'd try it here.

Feb 6, 2012:

So I've been using Rogaine liquid for the past year, but about two weeks ago, I started experiencing extreme itchiness on my hairline where I apply Rogaine. Also, the skin in that area became very rough, and somewhat swollen and red. So, to be safe, I switched from liquid to foam (since foam does not contain propylene glycol). Around the same time, my armpits and hands began to become very itchy as well. I took off my shirt last night to look at my armpits, and they were extremely red. So I look at the ingredients on both my deodorant and my hand lotion, and they both contain propylene glycol. So it seems to me that I have developed an allergy to propylene glycol. Am I overlooking another possibility of what is happening?
This leads me to another question: do I now have to switch over to products that do not contain propylene glycol? My hair product, soap, deodorant, and hand lotion all contain it. My shampoos contain glycol distearate; is that the same thing as propylene glycol? Can anybody help me with these questions? I'd like to go to a dermatologist with this, but I was just at one and I don't have the money to make another appointment. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


March 3, 2012:

Ok, so it's been about 4 weeks since that last post. Over the last month, I've switched to Rogaine foam since it appeared that I had an allergy to the PG in the liquid. The itchiness has definitely decreased, but it still itches quite a bit. The redness/roughness/swelling on my hairline went away after a few days on the foam as well. But over the past 7-10 days or so, I've developed 5 or 6 red spots (about 2-4 mm each) on my hairline. They are sensitive to the touch and are also extremely itchy and burn somewhat. Does this sound like a symptom of somebody who is allergic to minoxidil? It seems like I just can't get my scalp to clear up lately and it's really frustrating. I've also been using Nizoral twice a week during this time. I've always suffered from dry skin and dry skin in general so I don't know how that plays into this. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: The strange thing is that when I apply the foam, the redness of the spots decreases significantly to the point where I can't even notice them. I've only been applying the foam once a day if that matters at all.




I know it's a long read, but I'd appreciate any help I can get. Thanks!

 

[Timi]

i had this from all minoxidil
Foam-Kirkland-Rogaine-Regaine
2%-5% i was soooooooooo swollen and red
become a Monsterface

and it was bad for my Hairs

 

[bv3131]

I just took a look at the spots/bumps on my scalp, and it looks like they have each doubled in size overnight! Any advice anybody?

 

[slacker86]

I had this exact issue. I switched to foam and also tried other zero pg formulas with no success. I eventually decided to quit minoxidil as I came to the conclusion that I was allergic.. Like yourself I had also been using minoxidil for a year without any issues before this happened. if you have any success finding a solution, please report back. Unfortunately I can't offer any advice.

 

[bv3131]

I'm not experiencing any facial bloating or anything other than the red spots where I apply the foam. I just find it hard to believe that, after over a year, I'm all of the sudden allergic to minoxidil. I'd hate to quit Rogaine and lose all the progress I've made.

 

[bv3131]

Given the fact that I have a history or dry scalp, is it possible that it is just the alcohol in the Rogaine products that is irritating me, not the minoxidil itself? If that is the case, what are the alternative minoxidil products without alcohol? Thanks again.

 

[slacker86]

We could do with finding out once and for all if it actually is the minoxidil we're allergic to and not something else commonly found in minoxidil solutions....anyone have any advice on how we do this? I'm almost two years off minoxidil now and pretty desperate for a growth stimulant.

 

[bv3131]

Again, I have to say that the weirdest thing about this is that when I apply the Rogaine, the redness goes away. What do you guys make of that?

 

[slacker86]

I found that when I initially applied minoxidil, my scalp would be fine for a few hours, and then the irritation would occur. I don't recall the minoxidil actually calming the redness as such, but it didn't irritate until a few hours post application.

 

[Timi]

bv2929

take you finasteride??

 

[Dr Evil]

You need to clarify. You say you switched from liquid to foam and then you say that you only use the foam once per day (is this in addition to liquid once per day or by itself?) You say the spots go away after you apply Rogaine, but you don't say which type (foam or liquid) or how long it takes for the spots to clear, or if you're using anything else. You also say you've been using Nizoral twice a week but you don't say how long for...

If you want to know what the problem is, you'll need to clarify. What did the dermatoligist say? About your armpits? About the spots on your head?

For what it's worth (and without knowing the full picture!), I'd stop nizoral for a couple of weeks and switch completely over to Rogaine foam, and avoid using any other chemicals on your head. If the itching/swelling has stopped after a couple of weeks, try using Nizoral again. If the itching/swelling starts again, then Nizoral is the problem. If not, it's probably PPG. If you switch completely over to Rogaine foam for a couple of weeks and the itching is still there, then you have to start looking at the other ingredients...

 

[bv3131]

You need to clarify. You say you switched from liquid to foam and then you say that you only use the foam once per day (is this in addition to liquid once per day or by itself?) You say the spots go away after you apply Rogaine, but you don't say which type (foam or liquid) or how long it takes for the spots to clear, or if you're using anything else. You also say you've been using Nizoral twice a week but you don't say how long for...

If you want to know what the problem is, you'll need to clarify. What did the dermatoligist say? About your armpits? About the spots on your head?

For what it's worth (and without knowing the full picture!), I'd stop nizoral for a couple of weeks and switch completely over to Rogaine foam, and avoid using any other chemicals on your head. If the itching/swelling has stopped after a couple of weeks, try using Nizoral again. If the itching/swelling starts again, then Nizoral is the problem. If not, it's probably PPG. If you switch completely over to Rogaine foam for a couple of weeks and the itching is still there, then you have to start looking at the other ingredients...

I have switched COMPLETELY over to the foam, but only use it once a day. I've been using Nizoral for over a year (minus the couple months where there was the shortage). The spots on my scalp clear within minutes of applying the Rogaine foam. All the dermatologist said was that itching is a common side effect of Rogaine, and it is the reason that most of his patients discontinue use. I didn't discover the issue with my armpits until after my dermatologist appointment, so I couldn't ask him about that.

 

[bv3131]

Any more advice on this? I haven't used Nizoral in over a week, but I don't think it has made much difference. There are really only 2 spots on my hairline that are red. Some days the spots are darker and bigger, and some days they are barely noticeable. Also, there doesn't seem to be an issue with applying deodorant with propylene glycol anymore, as I've used my deodorant with PG the last few days and haven't had any problems. I'm just totally confused on what to do about this.