Fungal Infection & Minoxidil Question + My Story 11 Months on Meds

[harryoliver]

Hello all!

 

I've been taking the standard regimen of hair-stimulating meds for 11 months now - 2 applications of 5% Minoxidil every day + 1mg of Finasteride every day + Nizoral shampoo every few days.

 

I turned 25 last December and I've been losing my hair since I was 17.

 

6 weeks ago at the beginning of April I broke out in a nasty rash on my neck and forehead, and developed severe dandruff. At first I thought I had had an allergic reaction to something so I stopped using certain cosmetics (e.g., toner, moisturiser.) Then I thought there might be something in the water (?) in my new apartment. Then I thought perhaps there was damp in my new apartment....you get the idea.

 

3 weeks ago I found myself back at my general practitioner's for the fourth time to finally be told that I had a fungal infection, which I have since been treating on various anti-fungal creams and shampoos.

 

I have just this week come to the conclusion that my reaction must be to the Minoxidil. I had previously thought that switching from Rogaine to Kirkland Minoxidil back in November 2011 may have been the reason - using a cheaper brand, etc. But after starting back on Rogaine last month, my infection has not altered.

 

Only this week in fact - since I stopped applying Minoxidil on Monday - have I made progress with my fungal infection. My dandruff has reduced significantly and my scalp is less inflamed and sore.

 

I have uploaded 4 photos of my scalp which shows my progression over the course of the last 11 months on the meds.

 

I'd like advice, though, and what the next few weeks and months are going to be like for me now that I have decided to stop using Minoxidil:

 

- Will I lose hair if I stop using Minoxidil BUT carry on using Finasteride and Nizoral?

 

- Do you think I can go back to Minoxidil after my fungal infection has completely gone?

 

- Has anyone been in this situation? If so, what happened to you?

 

I'm considering a transplant to fill in my receding hairline early next year, but I'm now worried that I'm going to lose some/most/all of the hair I have gained since I started using Minoxidil, and that Finasteride on its own won't be enough to retain the precious hair which I have now, especially on my crown, to make me an ideal transplant candidate.

 

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your feedback.

 

Regards

 

Harry

[michaeljames]

Hello all!

 

I've been taking the standard regimen of hair-stimulating meds for 11 months now - 2 applications of 5% Minoxidil every day + 1mg of Finasteride every day + Nizoral shampoo every few days.

 

I turned 25 last December and I've been losing my hair since I was 17.

 

6 weeks ago at the beginning of April I broke out in a nasty rash on my neck and forehead, and developed severe dandruff. At first I thought I had had an allergic reaction to something so I stopped using certain cosmetics (e.g., toner, moisturiser.) Then I thought there might be something in the water (?) in my new apartment. Then I thought perhaps there was damp in my new apartment....you get the idea.

 

3 weeks ago I found myself back at my general practitioner's for the fourth time to finally be told that I had a fungal infection, which I have since been treating on various anti-fungal creams and shampoos.

 

I have just this week come to the conclusion that my reaction must be to the Minoxidil. I had previously thought that switching from Rogaine to Kirkland Minoxidil back in November 2011 may have been the reason - using a cheaper brand, etc. But after starting back on Rogaine last month, my infection has not altered.

 

Only this week in fact - since I stopped applying Minoxidil on Monday - have I made progress with my fungal infection. My dandruff has reduced significantly and my scalp is less inflamed and sore.

 

I have uploaded 4 photos of my scalp which shows my progression over the course of the last 11 months on the meds.

 

I'd like advice, though, and what the next few weeks and months are going to be like for me now that I have decided to stop using Minoxidil:

 

- Will I lose hair if I stop using Minoxidil BUT carry on using Finasteride and Nizoral?

 

- Do you think I can go back to Minoxidil after my fungal infection has completely gone?

 

- Has anyone been in this situation? If so, what happened to you?

 

I'm considering a transplant to fill in my receding hairline early next year, but I'm now worried that I'm going to lose some/most/all of the hair I have gained since I started using Minoxidil, and that Finasteride on its own won't be enough to retain the precious hair which I have now, especially on my crown, to make me an ideal transplant candidate.

 

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your feedback.

 

Regards

 

Harry

 

Hi Harry,

 

Sorry to hear about your adverse reaction with minoxidal. As a basic rule if a medication gives you a bad reaction; 1) Cease using it, i know you have; 2) See a qualified medical specialist related to your concerns, 3) Never go back to using it without a medical doctors prescription and oversight.

 

Look Mate, I dislike to see things like this happen to anyone, so I am rather strong about things like this. Please, see a Dr. and have them guide you with your hair loss issues and hair restoration.

 

All the Best, Michael

Edited May 30, 2012 by michaeljames
typo

[sp2013]

Harry

 

Are you still online? I would really like to speak to you about this fungal infection you had!

 

I have been suffering with a) Dermatitis 2) dry skin 3) Psorasis (all the 3 things I have diagnosed as having by 3 different doctors) - P doesn't run in my family, so I really don't think and hope it is this - I have thought for a while that I have a fungal infection.........can you offer any advice? What appearance were your scabs coming up like? Plaque like? And randomly in areas where you used minoxidil?

 

I only have scabs in areas where I have used Minox (Kirkland) /Nangoen and not in the safety zone & areas where Minox was not used!

 

As soon as i stopped using Nizoral twice a week, scabs came back! It temporarily ruined my life for over a month, I lost a lot of hair which is just starting to grow back in & continues to be a major issue/worry now I have new scabs come up!

 

I am grateful for your time/advice!

 

Did you have a fungal test to determine this?

 

Thanks

 

SP

[sait]

I use 5% minox , i had ungal infection last year, used nizoral which solved the problem, usage of minoxidil retreggered the syptoms even a year after my fungal cleared, im going to try lower % minoxidil and see how it goes, but before that im gona try minox at night only and washing my hair with nizoral in the mornings.