Redheads don't bleed more

Dec 10, 2010









Doctors have been assured that people with red hair do not bleed any more than other patients.

A UK study has found that there is no robust evidence to support anecdotal claims that these patients bleed more, can need more anaesthetic and are more sensitive to cold and heat pain.

The authors, who reviewed existing scientific literature on the subject, said redheads have no greater risk during surgery than the rest of the population.

Globally, around 1% to 2% of the population has red hair, although it is higher in the northern hemisphere, with redheads making up 13% of the population in Scotland.

The study by researchers in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, in Wales, is published in the British Medical Journal.



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