This GA tick can give you a meat and dairy allergy. Here’s what you should know

Georgia residents know how to check for ticks, especially if you go outside, but that might not be enough to protect yourself. The lone star tick is the most common tick, and it could make you allergic to red meat and dairy.

According to Emory University, the bite of the lone star tick is also associated with a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat and dairy products known as alpha-gal syndrome.

What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-gal (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) is a sugar molecule found in most mammals. When a tick bites you, it can transfer alpha-gal from its saliva into your bloodstream, causing your immune system to identify it as a threat.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically appear 2–6 hours after eating red meat, dairy, or other products containing alpha-gal, which is part of what makes it so easy to miss

Skin reactions

• Hives (urticaria)
• Rash or itching (pruritus)
• Swelling (angioedema), particularly of the face, lips, or throat

Gastrointestinal symptoms

These are the most commonly reported effects.

• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Respiratory symptoms

• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Respiratory distress

Severe/systemic reactions

• Drop in blood pressure
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Anaphylaxis (a severe, potentially allergic reaction)

Protect yourself from tick bites

The best and only prevention is avoiding tick bites in the first place, so take these precautions.

Precautions

• Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas; tuck pants into socks
• Use EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin on clothing
• Do a full-body tick check after outdoor activities
• Remove ticks promptly.

If a tick was attached long enough to cause an itchy bite reaction, it may have been attached long enough to transmit alpha-gal.

If you’ve had a tick bite and later notice any of the above symptoms hours after eating red meat, see an allergist. Ask specifically about alpha-gal IgE antibody testing and your doctor can test for AGS.