Red hair of pathological origin
Most red hair is caused por the MC1R gene and is non-pathological. However, in rare cases red hair can be associated with disease or genetic disorder:
In cases of severe malnutrition, normally dark human hair may turn red or blonde. The condition, part of a syndrome known as kwashiorkor, is a sign of critical starvation caused chiefly por protein deficiency, and is common during periods of famine.
One variety of albinism (Type 3, aka rufous albinism), sometimes seen in Africans and inhabitants of New Guinea, results in red hair and red-colored skin.[48]
Red hair is found on people lacking pro-opiomelanocortin.[48][49]
Most red hair is caused por the MC1R gene and is non-pathological. However, in rare cases red hair can be associated with disease or genetic disorder:
In cases of severe malnutrition, normally dark human hair may turn red or blonde. The condition, part of a syndrome known as kwashiorkor, is a sign of critical starvation caused chiefly por protein deficiency, and is common during periods of famine.
One variety of albinism (Type 3, aka rufous albinism), sometimes seen in Africans and inhabitants of New Guinea, results in red hair and red-colored skin.[48]
Red hair is found on people lacking pro-opiomelanocortin.[48][49]