Cases are multiplying in the United States. Allergy to pork, beef or lamb is recorded. What causes it all of a sudden? The bite of the Amblyomma americanum tick. It is the insect that makes you allergic to meat.
Small but dangerous
Bad news for carnivores. A research conducted by The British Medical Journal discusses these bizarre cases. It’s just one tiny species. But it triggers allergic reactions in humans. And they occur if you consume red meat or foods derived from it.
It is the tick Amblyomma americanum. This small tick is distinguished by a white star-shaped spot. For this reason it is also known as a star tick.
The condition suffered by those bitten by this insect is called alpha-gal syndrome. It is defined as a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
what does the top U.S. health agency say? That this syndrome is not produced by an infection. It is contracted after exposure to products or living things containing alpha-gal. In fact, this substance is also sometimes found in cat dander.
Around the world
However, not all cases are severe. The CDC clarifies that symptoms can also be mild. Perhaps just itching, hives, and rash.
In fact, that was the case for a 56-year-old farmer living outside Kansas City. U.S. health authorities claim that this man was exposed to tick bites because of his work in the fields. Because of this, over time, he developed an allergy to red meat. The reaction came from eating a beef hamburger.
Cases of alpha-gal syndrome have also been detected in Australia and Europe. But the main habitat of this animal is the southern and Midwestern United States.
Experts recommend avoiding grassy pastures or grassy places to avoid tick bites. In addition, long pants should be worn. Insect repellents help. Any idea is a good one to avoid the insect that makes you allergic to meat.
