If you head to Google and type in “do redheads…” you’ll get a lot of suggested search queries. One of these might be: “do redheads bleed more?”
This is a question we’ve been asked many times on social media. We know several medical factors come into play when one has red hair, like an increased need for anesthesia, a higher pain tolerance, and maybe even more painful childbirth. But, do redheads actually bleed more than others? Here’s what we know.
According to a study published in 2011, “Red-haired individuals are known for their reputation of increased bleeding during surgical procedures and in women after childbirth. However, only a few sound scientific studies have been performed to assess the association between red hair and bleeding.” The study goes on to say that there was a slight increase in the rate of bruising among redhead women.
From what we know, the increased bruising among redheads is often due to thinner skin, which makes bruising more apparent. But this doesn’t directly relate to bleeding. We kept digging and found that it’s also believed redheads may be more susceptible to hernias due to a “tangential link between chromosome 16 and a condition called brittle cornea syndrome, the sufferers of which have a slightly elevated hernia risk.”
A study reported on by Time.com in 2010 talks about the belief that redheads are more susceptible to hemorrhages, and states that “a survey of tonsillectomy patients found that about 7% of both red-haired and control patients experienced post-surgical bleeding. And in a study of the blood coagulation of 50 women, half of whom were redheads, there was no difference in clotting.”
At this time, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that redheads bleed more than individuals with other hair colors. Right now, it is simply a myth or misconception.
What do you think? Do you bleed more than others? Have you heard this before?
Rock it like a Redhead!
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