For many who seek to cure their hair loss condition, OTC meds or the terms of the substances contained therein are very familiar. At times these terms are used interchangeably while at other times the substance is referred to as an OTC med with a specific ingredient. Initially, the substance found in the OTC meds was used during drug experiments in an effort to counteract the dangers of high blood pressure. The substance was found to have the ability to cause blood vessels to expand, and thus presented a viable solution for those in danger of strokes. An interesting side effect reported during the drug’s trials was a re-growth of hair!
Naturally this appealed to those who are always looking for a baldness remedy, and soon the substance was marketed as an OTC med. By and large only a two percent mix has shown to have favorable results on the scalps of both women and men, while the stronger five percent obviously has an even better effectiveness but is contraindicated for women. The manufacturers this substance which promises to cure hair loss have made the connection between dilated blood vessels and a halt to hair loss and even a follicle stimulation, but the exact hormonal shift or physical change that the scalp undergoes is not yet entirely understood.
Like any substance that has been shown to cure hair loss, OTC meds do have some side effects – usually they are associated with an overdose of the substance:
- An irregular heart beat, blurry vision, lightheadedness and alternating feelings of hot and cold are one of the most severe side effects reported.
- In some cases a low fever that may last only a few hours after application of the substance has been reported.
- Those with a sensitive scalp have reported that the foam which is applied to the scalp may be the cause of a rather bothersome itchiness.
Although women are found to be suited patients for the use of OTC meds to cure hair loss, their use of the active ingredient sometimes needs to be restricted. Like many a drug or substance, the essence of OTC meds has been shown to enter the bloodstream via the skin and if a woman is pregnant or nursing, the drug will be passed on to the child. Physicians are not entirely certain what the dangers to mother and child are, yet in every case where there is no hard evidence to the contrary, it is wise to discontinue use immediately if you become pregnant or decide on nursing your infant.
Even though the most popular OTC med shows itself effective to cure hair loss, it is not a silver bullet. By and large, if you still have hair and are just noticing a thinning, your results will be the best. If you are waiting until a good portion of your hair has fallen out, OTC meds may be able to halt the hair loss and even cause some hair to re-grow, but there is no guarantee that you will have each and every bald spot covered. Similarly, some patterns of baldness appear to respond quicker and more consistently to treatment than others and if you are thinking that your hair will be just a before, you may be somewhat surprised to find out that the hair that is sprouting will be fine – like baby hair! Thus, treating it with great care is vital.
