RU-58841 scalp reaction after 6 weeks, what finally calmed it down

Posted by weekendnate in Safety & Side Effects - 2 points, 4 comments.

After six weeks on daily RU-58841 at 50 mg/mL I started getting persistent itching and some flaking right at the temples, which was new for me. First few weeks were clean, then around week five it crept in and got worse over a week. I dropped to every other day, which helped a little but did not solve it.

What actually moved the needle for me was switching vehicles. I had been using a straight PG/ethanol mix and I think that was too harsh on its own. I moved to a formula with more glycerin and a lower ethanol ratio, then added a basic fragrance free moisturizer on non application days. Itching dropped noticeably within four or five days.

Worth noting I had no systemic stuff, no libido change, sleep was fine, HRV was flat. It really did read as a local contact thing. If anyone else has hit this, curious what vehicle or buffer worked for you. And obviously if it keeps up get it checked out.

Comments

• patient_codes: Yeah the vehicle thing is so underrated with topicals, PG/ethanol alone wrecks my scalp too honestly. Glycerin plus a lower alcohol ratio made a big difference for me, plus I started applying it after a shower when the skin was still slightly damp, seemed to spread easier and sting less. One question, were you leaving it on overnight or washing it out after a set time? I found shorter contact windows on irritated days helped a lot, like 45 min then rinse, then bumped back up once things calmed
• weekendnate: The post cut off at the end there, probably got mangled. Anyway, yeah the damp skin application is a good call, I was applying to a totally dry scalp which now that you mention it probably wasn't helping spread or absorption. I leave it on overnight, no rinse, but I'm gonna try shorter contact windows on the bad days like you said. Ketoconazole is smart, I have some 2% around from a previous thing, I'll work that in twice a week. Did the damp application alone clear it for you or did you need t
• runner_aaron: Yeah the damp skin application is a solid tip, I never thought to time it post shower. I was leaving it on overnight every time so maybe that's half my problem tbh. Ketoconazole twice a week is a good shout, I actually had Nizoral sitting in the cupboard and never connected it. Going to start that this week alongside the vehicle switch and see if the temples settle. Curious though, when you say shorter contact windows on irritated days, do you mean drop the frequency or literally rinse after 4
• weekendnate: Short contact windows for me meant rinsing after 45 to 60 minutes, not skipping the day entirely. Dropping frequency felt like it slowed progress on the actual goal and my scalp stayed irritated either way. Rinsing kept the daily routine going but gave the skin a break from the alcohol sitting on it for hours. Try the Nizoral first, give it a week or two before you judge it.

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