As it\\\’s summertime in the U.S., ticks are once again thriving across the country and biting and spreading diseases to humans and other animals. In recent years, aided by various environmental factors, lone star ticks have expanded their range northward from southeastern states to pose health risks to even more Americans. Unlike deer ticks, whose bites can spread Lyme disease, lone star ticks can spread allergies to red meat through their bites.
Public health officials are reporting that tick activity is rising again. No matter what kind of tick bites you, they can spread dangerous diseases that can seriously disrupt your life. If you want to stay safe outdoors this summer, you should know what lone star ticks are, why they\\\’re dangerous, and what you can do to avoid them or deal with the allergies they spread.
What Are Lone Star Ticks And Why Are They Spreading Northward?
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Lone star ticks are tiny arachnids that bite and latch onto humans and other mammals. Compared to deer or dog ticks, lone stars are far more aggressive biters; their larvae hunt in large packs called \\\’tick bombs.\\\’ On their backs, the larger adult female ticks have a white star-like spot that gives the species its name; the smaller adult males have black lines on their backs.
For a long time, these ticks were mostly found in southeastern states like Virginia, Tennessee, and Florida while being almost completely absent from northeastern and midwestern states. Aided by shorter winter cold snaps, the spread of invasive plant species, and increased deer populations, however, the ticks have expanded their range northeastward as far as Maine, northwestward as far as Iowa, and southwestward as far as Texas. Last month, the tick was spotted on people in both Ottawa and Kalamazoo Counties in Michigan. As of this writing, the ticks are present in 30 states across the eastern half of the U.S.
If bitten by a lone star tick, you could develop a rash that grows up to 3 inches or more around the bite area. As with Lyme disease, you might also experience headaches, fevers, muscle and joint pain, and exhaustion. The bite can transfer a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into your body; if that molecule triggers a reaction from your immune system, it causes a food allergy called alpha-gal syndrome. According to the CDC, more than 110,000 cases of alpha-gal syndrome were identified in the U.S. between 2010 and 2022.
What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome and How Is It Treated?
Since alpha-gal is a carbohydrate in a protein that\\\’s found naturally in some animals but not in humans, alpha-gal syndrome can cause you to have mild to severe allergic reactions to certain animal products, including red meat (lamb, beef, pork, etc.), organ meat, dairy products, and gelatin. As food allergies vary from person to person, some people might not realize they have the syndrome, while others may experience anaphylactic or severe allergic reactions to these foods.
Allergic reactions to alpha-gal usually occur between 3 to 6 hours after exposure. A reaction can cause you to break out in hives, have itchy or scaly skin, experience your lips, tongue, throat, or face swelling up, feel stomach pain, vomit, or have diarrhea. If you have an allergic reaction, contact your primary healthcare provider or allergist; if you or someone else has an anaphylactic reaction, characterized by difficulty breathing, a rapid but weak pulse, dizziness, drooling, an inability to swallow, or flushing in the face, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Currently, there\\\’s no official treatment for alpha-gal syndrome besides cutting red meat and other mammal-based products out of your diet. While it may take a long time to recover from the allergy, you\\\’ll more likely overcome the allergy quicker by completely forgoing these foods; according to the Mayo Clinic, some patients who\\\’ve done so had their symptoms lessen to the point they could eat these products again after a year or two.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Lone Star Ticks?
As with other tick species, to avoid being bitten by lone star ticks, wear protective clothing, steer clear of tick-friendly areas, and thoroughly examine yourself for them after being outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and spray them with the insecticide permethrin. Spray yourself with an EPA-designated insect repellent that contains at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
When working or playing outside, avoid grassy, brushy, and wooded areas that tend to harbor ticks; if you\\\’re hiking, stay near the center of trails and away from tall grasses or piles of fallen leaves. Before you head inside, check yourself thoroughly for ticks and remove any you find right away. Take a shower or bath as soon as possible since that can make it easier to spot any ticks that escaped your first check. If you notice a tick on you a while after showering or bathing, remove it using tweezers.
Final Thoughts
As summer continues, you should be especially vigilant about increased tick activity and know how to prevent them from biting and infecting you with diseases. Lone star ticks in particular keep spreading further across the U.S. due to environmental factors like climate change and the spread of invasive plants and larger deer populations.
Lone star ticks can spread alpha-gal syndrome that makes you allergic to red meat, dairy, and other mammal-based food products. Whether mild or severe, this allergy can last for years, cause major medical issues, and might require you to cut these foods from your diet as a treatment option. No one wants to deal with the allergy these ticks cause, so you should take the proper precautions to keep them from biting and infecting you.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
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