This Bug’s Bite Can Make You Never Eat Meat Again

This Bug’s Bite Can Make You Never Eat Meat Again

By Jenny Hills, Medical Writer and Researcher   News

What if you were outdoors enjoying some pleasant weather, you felt a minor stinging sensation, and shortly after, you could never eat a steak again in your life.

Research has finally revealed some insight to a massive increase in the development of red meat allergies in the Southeastern area of the United States and the source may shock you¹.

In a study at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, researchers found that the bite of the lone star tick, a common insect that spans a large portion of the east coast², can actually make you allergic to any type of red meat.

When most people think of tick bite dangers, the first thing to come to mind is usually lyme disease, not sudden and taxing red meat allergies. A 2009 publication in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that tick bites are most likely the only reason people have been developing this allergy at such a shocking rate in the United States³. It’s an ironic predicament – while you’re outside cooking red meat, you might also be signing a lifetime resignation of the food.

As the population of deer continues to climb up the eastern coast, the cases of lone star tick bites climb with them. Should the public fret about this issue? Let’s take a look at the development and effects of this strange allergy to see its harmful potential.

How the Bite Affects a Victim

There is still no definitive explanation as to how the allergens are transmitted from tick to human, but scientists are convinced that the alpha-gal sugar lurking in the tick’s gut is the root of it all¹. The assumption is that this allergen is introduced to the human body through the lone star’s bite.

Once the victim has been bitten, any form of red meat is off limits (which might be beneficial to your health as high intake of red meat is one of the top 5 cancer causing foods). No pork. No beef. No venison or any other type of red meat. This can be a terrible circumstance for some, considering the commonality of these foods in the western diet.

The allergy can be far from minor as well, you probably won’t suffer from only minor itching if you enjoy a burger. Doctor Robert Valet states that the allergy can be as severe as peanut allergies. Minor symptoms include hive breakouts and swelling and serious symptoms include diarrhea, air deprivation, vomiting, drastic blood pressure changes and anaphylactic shock.

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Staying Safe Outdoors

There’s no reason for everyone on the east coast to run around in a chaotic panic and banning barbecues; certain preventative measures can help ensure your safety against tick bites while spending time outdoors.

Here are a few tricks to doing so:

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·         After spending periods of time outdoors, take a shower when returning to the house to knock insects from your body.

·         If there is a wooded area near your home, install a rock surface such as gravel to separate it. This will keep mice and ticks away simultaneously.

·         Don’t let your lawn grow too lush, or it will become a breeding ground for ticks. Mow often and thoroughly.

·         Piles of wood, brush and other vegetation should be left in direct exposure to the sun, ticks will be repelled by the heat and light.

·         During any outdoor expeditions, especially hikes through lush environments, tuck your clothing in. Ticks commonly enter through pant legs and under shirt waists⁴.

Image: Author: CDC, Source: CIDRAP – Wikimedia Commons

Source: https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/bugs-bite-can-make-never-eat-meat/