Ginger Hair

[Fish Kid]

I've heard what I suspect are myths surrounding people with ginger hair - that they emit an odour similar to fox urine. Whilst this sounds a little far fetched, does anyone know if ginger hair people are prone to emit some sort of bodily smell (perhaps due to genetic make-up - as they are generally fair-skinned is this another side-effect)?

[Drisgirl]

Are you having a laugh?PMSL at your Q - o must be ginger haired :)

[GingerMinge]

I have never smelled fox`s urine. If you are ginger as well with a name like Fish Kid, I take it you get the same comments as me. WHAT`S THAT FISHY SMELL?

[Fish Kid]

I don't have ginger hair, I'm just curious about what I heard - I suspect it is untrue, but you never know...after all, they are always fair skinned, so what is stopping them from smelling strange too?
I don't think I've ever smelt fox urine, my source probably used that comparison as most foxes I've seen are predominantly ginger

[WaldoMcFroog]

I am married to a ginge and can confirm that they don't smell any different to anyone else.

From Wikipedia (so it must be true):

The biochemistry of red hair, discovered only in 1997, appears to be associated with the melanocortin-1 receptor while the red colour itself is produced by an iron compound. The recessive gene which gives people red hair, fair skin and light eyes appeared only 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. MC1R is also associated with freckles, though it is not uncommon to see a redhead without freckles. 80% of redheads have a MC1R gene variant, and the prevalence of these alleles is highest in Scotland and Ireland. MC1R is found on chromosome 16.

The genetics of red hair is now being uncovered, together with connections between red hair and melanoma, skin disorders in general, and different reactions to anaesthesia. There is evidence for genetic linkage of eye colour with other hair colors such as brown hair, but MC1R is not linked to eye colour.

I think that's quite a good answer to a very silly question! ;-)

[spinchimp]

'they are always fair skinned, so whats to stop them from smelling strange too'...Good grief!

[Drisgirl]

PMSL at gingerminge !

[{Dakota}]

I think this is the most ridiculous question I have *ever* seen on here! Are you for real???

"after all they are always faired skinned so what's stops them smelling strange too?"

It's the "too" bit I'm curious about, being fair skinned is an oddity to you??

I think you should go get yourself some tact.

[Fish Kid]

Perhaps of these boffins did a bit overtime, and looked deeper into this 'MC1R is found on chromosome 16', is it not remotely possible that it could account for some sort of chemical that is excreted through the skin?

"The genetics of red hair is now being uncovered, together with connections between red hair and melanoma, skin disorders in general, and different reactions to anaesthesia"

This suggests research is ongoing, if ginger people are prone to skin disorders, why not odours?

The colleague who sold me this 'fact' was very convincing.

[happy_face]

I was born with ginger hair but after about a year it turned blond and I have been blond ever since. I have the skin of a ginger where I have lots of freckles and bruise easily but I don't get sunburns, tan really easily and I'm not pale.

So how do you work that one out then Fish Kid - I must be a complete freak in your eyes.

I can only assume that you are very young to believe such nonesense and to have the attitude that just because people don't look like you, there's something wrong with them.

If that's not the case, then you need to grow up anyway

[Fish Kid]

Sorry if I have upset you ginger people, not intentional, I actually have friends with ginger hair, and have not noticed them smelling different from other people.

That said, a colleague who told me this sold it pretty well, and said it was just a trait common amongst ginger people.

[{Dakota}]

By telling us you have friends who are red heads who do not smell, you answered your own question.

Try to be less gullible next time your colleagues tell you tales :)

[Fish Kid]

True, I've never noticed my ginger friends (I have 2) smell, but perhaps they mask it with perfume? Perhaps there is a percentage of people who it aflicts? Perhaps it is related to people with fair skin and not necessarily ginger hair?

So many unanswered questions.

I agree this notion of ginger people emitting such an odour sounds presposterous at first, but the human body is a strange old thing.

[{Dakota}]

OK, I think you're extracting the urine now. The only people who smell are those who have hygeine issues.

[ipek]

Rather than thinking of an obvious 'smell', it could be that what your informant was refering to is more like pheromones. It could well be possible that red-haired people have a distict signature - not being qualified in this field, I can't confirm or refute this, but it's a thought..!!

All I know is that there must be something to this subject of personal 'smells' because all manner of biting nasties (fleas, mozzies, etc.) absolutely love me (not a ginge) but leave my hubby alone!

[WaldoMcFroog]

"All I know is that there must be something to this subject of personal 'smells' because all manner of biting nasties (fleas, mozzies, etc.) absolutely love me (not a ginge) but leave my hubby alone!"

Well, I'm not a ginge and don't attract them, my wife is and does. It's absolutely true to say that some people attract insects more than others but absolutely not true that people with one hair colour are more succeptible!

[Drusilla]

I am a redhead and so are both my daughters and we stink.

I was very upset when hunting was banned because I used to make a fortune renting out my six year and nine year old daughters as decoys for foxes. They got chewed up a little on occasions, but the protesters were paying good money, so what's a mother to do???

[scatty mare]

Drusilla, that's hilarious!

[joko]

i would agree that your informant probably misinterpreted "smell of fox urine" to mean smell of waz, when what it actually said was something like "similar to musky pheremones emitted by foxes"

I can sort of see why fish kid is curious about this, it isn't entirely beyond the realms of possibility. we all have different smells, ginger people included and perhaps they have a more 'specific' smell, not worse just different.

your skin smells when you have been in the sun or on a sunbed and reacts to fake tan with a smell and as brunettes have more melanin in the skin, whose to say that it doesn't smell a bit - or masks another smell?

we have all believed daft things we have been told, and if you are not sure, where better to put your mind at rest once and for all?

i don't think its a stupid question either, if you dismiss things as "stupid" and sneer straightaway without even considering it, you are a fool and destined to never get anywhere - (Mould can cure you of life threatening diseases? pull the other one! The earth round? go on!)

The only way to tell would be to get a brunette, and blonde and a ginger to not wash for a few weeks an compare.

(i wonder if the informant meant the hair itself - the grease?)

I, however, smell of peaches and doilies

[Fish Kid]

Thank you Joko...the stupidest question is the one that is never asked.

[Bob A Job]

Hate to go against the flow here guys, but i know a ginger who smells musky....

But he is outnumbered by alot of non-gingers that stink just the same.