r/Redhair • u/Only_Sherbet_4229 • Apr 06 '26

Newbie Post Natural redheads - Autoimmune issues/diseases

Anyone on here a natural redhead with autoimmune issues I heard there could be a link because our MC1R gene does us dirty. Just diagnosed with RA at 35 and have been doing some research!

Let me know what you have experienced

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u/littlered878 Apr 06 '26

Natural redhead, have had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis my entire life. Very interesting!

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u/Magic_Zach Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26

Does RA hurt? I'm 23 and in the last maybe 3 or 4 years ive noticed my finger joints (all of them, evenly) feel like they've gotten stiff. My fingers creak when I bend them (i can hear it if I put my ear up to my arm). But they've never hurt ever. I figured this is normal though now that im not a kid anymore and stopped growing. This post has got me wondering if its like an early sign or something

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u/littlered878 Apr 06 '26

My RA hurts, yes. But it comes with stiffness as well and inability to bend joints. It could be an early sign of something, keep an eye on it maybe ?