Regaine (Minoxidil)

I am a 34 year old male.  I have been steadily losing my hair for approximately 8 years.  I tried regaine back in 2006, and used it for about 8 weeks.  However, I stopped using it following advice from my GP, because my scalp became severely irritated, causing soreness and weeping.  As a result, several lymph nodes appeared around the back of my head and neck.  During this period I went on holiday to Menorca and my scalp was exposed to the sun and I wondered whether the reaction was due to this.
For this reason, I decided to give regaine another try 5 years on, and predictably, I am even thinner on top than I was. I am currently on day 4 of the treatment, and this morning when I woke up I noticed small pimples on my scalp where I have been applying the treatment, and very slightly itchy.  I am worried that this may be the onset of the same problem that I experienced in 2006.  Reading the leaflet, I understand these are common side effects, but even still I am concerned.  I hate losing my hair and always found this distressing and I am desparate for this to work this time.  Any advice would be grately appreciated.  Thanks.

[maatson]

An 'irritant dermatitis' in the offing. Do consult your doc.

[paul4peter]

if I do, I know they'll just tell me to stop using it..

[Caryopteris]

You could see if you do well with oral finasteride instead.  Have you tried that?  

[Caryopteris]

Oh, and if you are not using the foam kind of Rogaine, people have fewer problems with that, so I have heard.  

[paul4peter]

what is oral finasteride? I am using the foam, back in 2006 when I experienced the allergic reaction, I was using the liquid solution as the foam was not out then.

[paul4peter]

The pimples have turned into blistery like scabs and my scalp feels on fire today-very uncomfortable! I'm going to have to stop the treatment :( I am going to see the gp this morning

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks like an irritant contact dermatitis or an allergic reaction to the Rogaine and you should stop the treatment. Instead you can go in for oral finasteride. Considering your symptoms male pattern baldness is an important possibility. Finally one can resort to hair transplantation also.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.