severe scalp irritation

[doozer]

I have been using finasteride and minoxidil off and on for over a year... I originally started with the minoxidil foam, but couldnt keep up with it because it irritated my scalp. So I than tried the minoxidil liquid... Irritation just got worse. I tried using it only once a day, but it didnt matter.

So I did some research on the forum and learned about the problems people are having with PPG. I than found Dr. Lees products and decided to try them.
I decided to go with the xandrox 15% without ppg and the minoxidil 5% without ppg. Xandrox at night and 5% in the morning.

I forst only used the Xandrox at night for a while, I had no irritation! I than added the 5% minoxidil without ppg in the am, but soon started having the irritation again.

Now, My xandrox is all gone, Dr. Lee is all gone.... I actually havent used any minoxidil for over a month (or more).. my hair actually improved quite a bit over the few months I was using the xandrox and finasteride regularly. My wife cuts my hair and noticed a big improvement.

Now, since I ran out of topical and havent used any in well over a month, (probably 2) my har has thinned out alot.. my wife couldnt beleive it.. it looks like crap....

So, i recently got desperate and started with the minoxidil foam again.. in 2 days I had severe irritationagain!

I may have an adverser reaction to the ppg, but I am also sure that the no PPg stuff was also irritating me as well (the liquid) I think it might be the alcohol.

To make a long story short (well, too late now).. what I need is a product that wont irritate my scalp!!! The xandrox was the only thing that didnt seem to, but not sure why.. even the no ppg minoxidil was irritating me...

Are there any other alternatives?

Help!!!!

 

[Patrick54]

I feel for you. You might try other minoxidil solutions, I now use MOPC labs 15% minoxidil with 5% A.A and like it a lot. It's only got 15%ppg if I remember right. You also might try Nizoral shampoo 1 or 2% if you don't alread. I think some people said that helped with scalp irritation.

 

[shineman921]

I've used a variety of minoxidil brands including MOPC 15% and had no irritation. I then started with Regain Foam (UK version of Rogaine Foam) and boy did it irritate. I can honestly say that I never thought scratching could be so pleasurable! I then switched to US Rogaine Foam and gradually the irritation subsided. I'm on my second can of Rogaine Foam but I have just reordered the UK Regain Foam so it will be interesting to see if that version starts to irritate me again. I have to say, try and tolerate the foam because its works very well and is much easier to manage.

 

[Cassin]

wow I don't think I recall anyone having problems with FOAM.

Have you considered 2% off the shelf?

 

[doozer]

Thanks for the replies. Im not sure what you mean by "2% off the shelf". Is there a 2% foam or do you mean the liquid?

I really dont know what to do next... After a week i have open soures on my head ( just a couple of small spots) but its itching like crazy. I didnt use any this morning, and it already feels better. All i can do is let it heal for a few days and start using the nizoral and try the foam again while using the nizoral. Not sure if it will matter. I tried using tgel stubborn itch shampoo while using the foam, but it didnt help.

 

[shineman921]

persevere, it does get better. I actually started on 2% way back, perhaps that's why I never experienced shedding??

 

[doozer]

So its been a couple of weeks and Ive been usingthe MOPC 15% which seems to be similar to Dr. Lees Xandrox that I use to use with no problems.

I still have scalp irritation, I have been trying to manage it. Its not as severe as when I was using the other stuff, including the foam. But it still enough to drive me nuts.

So today I bought some Scalpicin to see if it will help.... no dice.. makes no difference.. actually it might even be worse. I used the Max strength stuff which is Hydrocortizone 1%. The funny thing is, I read the inactive ingredients and one of them is PPG!!! So that may be making it worse.

Im really trying but its not easy. I have been trying the Nizoral, but doesnt seem to help. I put the MOPC 15% after I shower in the AM, and its good for a couple hours, but it gets bad at about midday, and worse after that. The funny thing is, when I apply the MOPC at night, it actually makes it better for a while. Almost instant relief,although it doesntlast.

Im not sure what to do next.... dermatologist? Could it just be the minoxidil itself?