Rick Patrick
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
No one likes the idea of becoming a meal for another creature. This is especially true when it comes to ticks. Not only are these pesky little parasites annoying, but they can pose many health risks. Many are familiar with Lyme disease, which can be transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick. There is another malady that can befall humans if they are bitten by the lone star tick, which can be found in this area.
According to the Inspira Health Network, lone star ticks are an aggressive species that actually hunt their prey. They sometimes lie in wait in grasses until a potential blood meal happens to stroll by. Then, they hop onto their potential victim. They also will hunt down a victim by zeroing in on the carbon dioxide they exhale. The white spot can easily identify the female lone star tick, or “lone star” on their back. Bites from lone star ticks have been associated with a condition called “alpha-gal syndrome.”
“After a lone star tick bite, some people report allergic reactions to red meat,” says Dr. Craig Bober, D.O., a family medicine specialist in Sewell, N.J. “The allergy they develop is called alpha-gal syndrome - named after a sugar molecule that is found in most mammals.”
This condition seems to appear in patients who may not have ever shown such allergies prior to being bitten by a lone star tick. Alpha-gal syndrome can affect different people in different ways, ranging from mild symptoms to severe or even life-threatening. The symptoms of an allergic reaction usually appear from two to six hours after consuming products containing alpha-gal, such as pork, beef, rabbit, lamb or venison. Reactions can also result from consuming gelatin, milk or milk products.
The symptoms may include:
• Hives or itchy rash
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Drop in blood pressure
• Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue or eyelids
• Dizziness or faintness
• Severe stomach pain
Prevention is the best method for dealing with this or any other tick-borne disease or condition. Some safety measures you can take include:
• Avoid grassy, brushy and wooded areas where ticks like to congregate.
• Wear long pants and socks while outdoors.
• Treat your clothing and shoes with permethrin (an insecticide that can be used in a variety of settings) or buy pre-treated items.
• Use an effective insect repellent, especially on your shoes.
• After you come back indoors, check your clothing for ticks.
• Shower and perform a thorough tick check.
• If you see an attached tick, remove it immediately.
• Take steps to prevent ticks on your pets and in your yard.
Ticks and other biting insects are a fact of life in our area. However, with prevention and diligence, the risks of illnesses can be lower.