It sounds like the result of playing Mad Libs, but the bite of an invasive tick can cause you to develop an allergy to meat.
The Lone Star tick, identifiable from a star-like white spot on adult females, is spreading. Its natural habitat is the Southeast U.S., but it is traveling as far north as Canada because of warmer weather. Thankfully, insect repellent can keep it from biting you.
Most of us know to be concerned about Lyme disease caused by ticks. But Lone Star ticks are more aggressive and more likely to bite. And they are outpacing the native tick population.
Their bite can cause a life-threatening allergy to the red meat protein alpha-gal. An alpha-gal allergy can also cause dairy allergies and allergies to some medications. The symptoms of an allergic reaction may not appear until several hours after eating meat, dairy or medication. That makes the problem difficult to diagnose. There is no cure but an allergy to alpha-gal, but it can lessen over time. Many people can eat normally after a year or two.
While the tick can cause this serious allergy, it’s more likely to cause ehrlichiosis. This illness causes fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and a rash. Lone Star tick bites can also spread the bacteria that causes the potentially deadly illness tularemia.
An alpha-gal allergy can be fatal. Brian McCornack in Kansas was rushed to the ER with anaphylactic shock after eating steak off a grill. He had realized his stomach was having mild issues with meat but didn’t know it was an allergy until it landed him in hospital.
In the hospital, after learning of his allergy, he remembered being bitten by two Lone Star ticks while walking his dogs. He now avoids beef, pork, lamb, cheese, ice cream and medication that contains alpha-gal.
“Meat products are in everything, it’s actually byproducts as well, cheeses, you name it - ice cream I can’t have it without having a severe reaction,” said Mr. McCornack. “Meat products [are] in pharmaceuticals. I had to work closely with a pharmacist to make sure the pharmaceuticals don’t cause anaphylactic shock. If it’s genuine aspirin they use synthetic-acting agents, if it’s generic they use animal-based.”
It’s crucial to stay on top of what environmental health hazards are in your area. The Lone Star Tick is spreading. But the same things repel all tick bites: clothing that covers your skin and bug spray. If you take preventative measures, you should be fine. It’s also important to report tick bites to your doctor so they can make a note in your chart to quickly diagnose any problems you may have in the future.
