Lone Star Tick bites are making people allergic to meat
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Meat-lovers across the U.S. are suddenly finding themselves allergic to meat, all thanks to a pesky little bloodsucker.
A bite from the Lone Star tick activates an allergy to the carbohydrate alpha-gal, and causes the body to overproduce the immunoglobulin E antibodies, according to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Alpha-gal is found in the cell membranes of most mammals, except primates and humans. It isn’t in poultry or seafood, but is abundant in pork, mutton, and beef. Consequently, those who have been bitten become highly sensitive to meat. Eating red meat triggers a reaction that manifests hours later, with symptoms ranging from itching and hives to stomach cramps, pain, and even anaphylaxis.
The meat allergy used to be limited to states in the southeastern U.S., but rising temperatures have caused ticks to spread north and west.
Scientists have yet to figure out how exactly how the tick sends antibody production into overdrive, but suspect it may be something in the insect’s saliva.
While the allergy currently has no known cure, the symptoms may recede over time. For now, it’s best to just double up on the bug spray and hope to the meat gods you don’t get bitten.
A bite from the Lone Star tick activates an allergy to the carbohydrate alpha-gal, and causes the body to overproduce the immunoglobulin E antibodies, according to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Alpha-gal is found in the cell membranes of most mammals, except primates and humans. It isn’t in poultry or seafood, but is abundant in pork, mutton, and beef. Consequently, those who have been bitten become highly sensitive to meat. Eating red meat triggers a reaction that manifests hours later, with symptoms ranging from itching and hives to stomach cramps, pain, and even anaphylaxis.
The meat allergy used to be limited to states in the southeastern U.S., but rising temperatures have caused ticks to spread north and west.
Scientists have yet to figure out how exactly how the tick sends antibody production into overdrive, but suspect it may be something in the insect’s saliva.
While the allergy currently has no known cure, the symptoms may recede over time. For now, it’s best to just double up on the bug spray and hope to the meat gods you don’t get bitten.
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