The unexpected side effects of this popular hair loss solution–Is it a miracle or a curse?
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As we age, we begin to experience more losses, especially when it comes to our youthful looks. One of the most usual losses that people experience is hair loss.
With this, the quest for a full head of hair has led many to embrace a variety of treatments, but a recent development has raised eyebrows—and hair—across the globe.
This widely used medication for combating hair loss has been linked to an unusual side effect that sounds like something out of a fairy tale: “werewolf syndrome.” How did this happen?
Minoxidil, available as a foam, cream, tincture, or pill, is a household name for those battling baldness. It's a beacon of hope for the 80 million Americans dealing with hair loss, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
But this beacon has cast a strange shadow in the form of hypertrichosis, a condition characterized by excessive hair growth, which has been observed in infants exposed to the drug.
Researchers in Spain sounded the alarm after discovering a series of hypertrichosis cases in babies. These infants developed hair growth not just on their scalps but across their bodies after coming into contact with Minoxidil through their parents that touched them right after using the drug.
The European Medicines Agency has since recommended additional warnings on the drug's labels, cautioning against ingestion and advising parents to avoid skin contact with children after application.
The new warning now explicitly says that parents and their children should not ingest the foam. Despite these findings, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to comment on the Spanish cases or issue new warnings.
In all eleven cases, the children’s hair growth stopped and reversed after they stopped being exposed to Minoxidil.
However, it's worth noting that the FDA-approved label for Minoxidil pills already mentions the potential for hypertrichosis, although it does not specify any risks for infants.
Hypertrichosis, also known as “werewolf syndrome”, can manifest in various forms, from isolated patches to full-body hair growth.
While the condition can be congenital, the cases linked to Minoxidil are acquired, meaning the drug triggers the excessive hair growth. Fortunately, the Spanish cases showed that once exposure to the drug ceased, the children's hair growth subsided.
While Minoxidil is generally considered safe, there have been instances of severe reactions.
A French child experienced a dangerously high heart rate and low blood pressure after ingesting a teaspoon of the product. This is because Minoxidil relaxes blood vessels to stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth, which can have unintended consequences if ingested, especially by children.
According to Dr. Isabelle Claudet, head of the pediatric emergency department at the Children’s Hospital in Toulouse, France, “At therapeutic dosage, there is usually no serious adverse effect, but for a child, some milliliters or a teaspoon can lead to long-lasting hypotension.”
Minoxidil is an FDA approved formulation available at a range of concentrations, including 1%, 2%, 5%, 7% and 15%. The foams and other topical treatments are usually available over-the-counter, so it’s rarer to see higher concentrations. While there are pill forms available, these require a prescription.
Although, in the pill form, the FDA label on the drug notes that it can cause hypertrichosis in the: “eyebrows, between the hairline and the eyebrows, or in the sideburn area of the upper lateral cheek, later extending to the back, arms, legs, and scalp.”
Beyond the physical effects, hypertrichosis can have profound psychological implications.
Have you or someone you know experienced side effects from hair loss treatments? How do you balance the benefits and risks of such medications? Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
With this, the quest for a full head of hair has led many to embrace a variety of treatments, but a recent development has raised eyebrows—and hair—across the globe.
This widely used medication for combating hair loss has been linked to an unusual side effect that sounds like something out of a fairy tale: “werewolf syndrome.” How did this happen?
Minoxidil, available as a foam, cream, tincture, or pill, is a household name for those battling baldness. It's a beacon of hope for the 80 million Americans dealing with hair loss, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
But this beacon has cast a strange shadow in the form of hypertrichosis, a condition characterized by excessive hair growth, which has been observed in infants exposed to the drug.
Researchers in Spain sounded the alarm after discovering a series of hypertrichosis cases in babies. These infants developed hair growth not just on their scalps but across their bodies after coming into contact with Minoxidil through their parents that touched them right after using the drug.
The European Medicines Agency has since recommended additional warnings on the drug's labels, cautioning against ingestion and advising parents to avoid skin contact with children after application.
A warning has been issued for the balding drug Minoxidil after it was linked to “werewolf syndrome” in infants, causing excessive hair growth. Image source: Snipers Kirkland Minoxidil hair and beard growth oil via Facebook.
The new warning now explicitly says that parents and their children should not ingest the foam. Despite these findings, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to comment on the Spanish cases or issue new warnings.
In all eleven cases, the children’s hair growth stopped and reversed after they stopped being exposed to Minoxidil.
However, it's worth noting that the FDA-approved label for Minoxidil pills already mentions the potential for hypertrichosis, although it does not specify any risks for infants.
Hypertrichosis, also known as “werewolf syndrome”, can manifest in various forms, from isolated patches to full-body hair growth.
While the condition can be congenital, the cases linked to Minoxidil are acquired, meaning the drug triggers the excessive hair growth. Fortunately, the Spanish cases showed that once exposure to the drug ceased, the children's hair growth subsided.
While Minoxidil is generally considered safe, there have been instances of severe reactions.
A French child experienced a dangerously high heart rate and low blood pressure after ingesting a teaspoon of the product. This is because Minoxidil relaxes blood vessels to stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth, which can have unintended consequences if ingested, especially by children.
According to Dr. Isabelle Claudet, head of the pediatric emergency department at the Children’s Hospital in Toulouse, France, “At therapeutic dosage, there is usually no serious adverse effect, but for a child, some milliliters or a teaspoon can lead to long-lasting hypotension.”
Minoxidil is an FDA approved formulation available at a range of concentrations, including 1%, 2%, 5%, 7% and 15%. The foams and other topical treatments are usually available over-the-counter, so it’s rarer to see higher concentrations. While there are pill forms available, these require a prescription.
Although, in the pill form, the FDA label on the drug notes that it can cause hypertrichosis in the: “eyebrows, between the hairline and the eyebrows, or in the sideburn area of the upper lateral cheek, later extending to the back, arms, legs, and scalp.”
Beyond the physical effects, hypertrichosis can have profound psychological implications.
Have you or someone you know experienced side effects from hair loss treatments? How do you balance the benefits and risks of such medications? Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
