RU‑58841 and scalp irritation – how to manage dryness and dermatitis?

Posted by greg208 in Safety & Side Effects - 1 points, 3 comments.

For a few months now I’ve been using 50 mg of RU‑58841 daily to tackle my male pattern alopecia. The first week the scalp felt tight, itchy, almost like a rash. I suspected it was just the vehicle – the propylene glycol and ethanol combo.

After a couple of days I noticed mild redness, swollen follicles and a burning sensation that made me think of contact dermatitis. I stopped using it for a couple of nights, applied a light layer of coconut oil and a bit of aloe vera gel to the area to soothe it. The next day I re‑started at half the concentration (25 mg) and added a tiny splash of chamomile tea to the mix to calm the skin.

Over the next two weeks the irritation subsided, the redness faded, and I’m back to the original dose without any glaring issues. If you’re looking to avoid that initial sting, I’d suggest starting with a lower dose, testing a patch on the inner forearm first, and layering on a hydrating balm before the RU‑58841. Keep an eye on the skin – if it stays red or you develop scaling, give it a break and maybe switch to a gentler vehicle.

Comments

• kayla_s: The propylene glycol is a nightmare for some people, it really just strips the skin. I had a similar issue when I was trying some topical research compounds a while back, it felt like my skin was shrinking. I found that waiting a few hours after showering helped me, because the skin is way more sensitive right after a hot shower. I wonder if the chamomile tea actually did something or if it was just the break from the RU that saved you, but it is a clever trick. If you still feel that tightnes
• greg208: Kayla, thanks for the heads‑up about the glycol. I did a patch test on the forearm and still got the itch next day, so I think it is the vehicle. I’ll try waiting an hour after showering before I apply the paste – the skin does feel more reactive right after a hot shower. As for the chamomile tea, I think the break helped more, but I’ll experiment with a pure chamomile extract next time. Would you mind telling me what brand or type of chamomile you used?
• greg208: Not gonna lie, the propylene glycol can feel like it’s pulling the skin. I did the same thing you mentioned – waited a couple of hours after a hot shower before applying. The chamomile seemed to calm the itch, though I think the pause helped too. If it sticks, a mild steroid cream might be the answer.

Community discussion - research and educational context only. Not medical advice.