Possible hearing damage when using diclofenac for hair growth
-
Diclofenac is getting popular as experimental hair loss treatment, but there is theoretical possibility of it causing hearing loss.
I got terrible tinnitus after first application to the scalp. Then I found this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/tinnitus/comments/u1hl53/im_an_idiot_i_may_have_just_made_my_tinnitus/
Ototoxicity associated with topical administration of diclofenac
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28583486/It might be a coincidence and not caused by the diclofenac, there is no reliable evidence of diclofenac being ototoxic when applied to the scalp. But there is very good evidence of general ototoxicity and n=2 reddit-post evidence of ototoxicity when applied to the scalp.
The hair loss studies used elderly subjects, likely with some level of pre-existing hearing loss, this is why this possible side effect might got unnoticed.
I prefer to be bald over being deaf so even if there is 0,01% chance of hearing damage I'm going to err to the side of caution. Use your own discretion to decide whether the risk is worth for you and pay attention to your hearing when using diclofenac.
-
How much did you use? Be honest.
-
Salicylates cause hearing loss when applied topically. Again, this is not a proof that topical diclofenac cause hearing loss. But given the similarity of both substances, it is another reason to be very careful when using diclofenac on your head
Salicylic acid is a β-hydroxy acid. It may be used at concentrations of 20% to 30% for treatment of acne, rosacea, melasma, hyperpigmentation, mild photoaging, and rough skin. By acting as a lipophilic keratolytic agent, it produces exfoliation and dissolves follicular impactions, resulting in a reduction of acne lesions. Additional benefits of salicylic acid are antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties. When applied, the acid crystallizes and may be visible after the first minute. After 3 to 5 minutes, the face is gently cleansed with tap water. Salicylic acid peels can potentially result in systemic toxicity, with the presence of nausea, hearing loss, tinnitus, and central nervous system dysfunction.
Source:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2016.03.004
page 589https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/glycolic-acid
