Watch Out Louisiana: This Tick Could Make You Allergic to Meat

Louisiana is called Sportsman's Paradise because we have hunting and fishing galore. If you love the great outdoors, there is plenty to keep you busy here in South Louisiana.

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While there is so much beauty to be found in our state, there are also a handful of creatures you have to keep an eye out such as gators, snakes, and black bears. But on a daily basis, it's the smaller critters that really get on our nerves. Don't even get me started on my hatred for mosquitos.

We also have to watch out for ticks in our wooded areas and grassy fields. Now, the CDC is alerting the public about a particularly pesky tick that has a really strange side effect.

This Tick Could Make You Allergic to Meat

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the bite of a lone star tick will cause those who are infected to have an adverse reaction to red meat, pork, and lamb. Some have reported relations to gelatin and dairy products, too. They are reporting that, in most cases, people are developing a meat allergy without even knowing it.

The saliva of this tick causes Alpha-Gal Syndrome and can infect humans and all other mammals.

On the bright side, if you have always wanted to go vegan or vegetarian, this might be the easiest way.

Symptoms of Alpha-Gal Syndrome

• stomach pain
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• itchy skin
• swelling of lips, face, and throat
• wheezing
• shortness of breath

Symptoms commonly appear 2-6 hours after eating food or other exposure to products containing alpha-gal (for example, gelatin-coated medications). AGS is diagnosed by an allergist or other healthcare provider and requires a thorough history with compatible symptoms, and diagnostic testing for antibodies specific to alpha-gal. Your healthcare provider may also recommend allergy skin testing.

So far, 110,000 cases have been reported, with the addition of 450,00 people who may not know they have been infected, according to the CDC.

The bulk of these reports are coming out of the eastern part of the United States from Kansas to Delaware. Louisiana could see the lone star tick as it continues to spread and people return from vacations.

Keep An Eye Out For This Tick in Louisiana

The lone star tick is easily identified by the white dot on its back. However, most people will not know they have been bitten by it until after they try to eat red meat or dairy products.