Ticks are known to spread illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
But now, health experts are saying a certain tick bite could cause an allergic reaction to red meat and other animal products.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says over 110,000 people across the country have been affected by alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) over the last 12 years. The syndrome is relatively new and not regularly reported by medical officials. CDC says that number could be even higher.
AGS, also known as the "red meat" allergy, is not an infectious disease but rather a reaction to the presence of the alpha-gal antigen that is present in the lone star tick. Research is ongoing as to why the bite causes a reaction in humans.
Entomologist Emily Dinh from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said scientists have a few theories.
"In some cases, some people can consume some of these products with alpha gal, sugar molecules, like red meat, for example, and not have a reaction at all. And that's been very interesting trying to understand why that may be," said Dinh.
"One current hypothesis about how alpha gal can be a sensitive allergen to people is that it has to maybe do with the presence of the antigen or their complimentary like immune response in the saliva of certain tick species."
Experts say there’s evidence that AGS is associated with the bite of the lone star tick. That species is found in areas of the Midwest but not in Michigan. However, Dinh warns that Michigan residents should still be diligent when heading out into the woods.
"Another tick species that people know commonly as the black legged tick or the deer tick has been found to have alpha gal in their saliva also. So, not all other tick species have been ruled out,” she said.
The only way to find out if you've been bitten by a tick that carries alpha gal is to have an allergic reaction within three to eight hours after consuming red meat or red-meat products.
However, other products can also cause a reaction after a tick bite. Dinh said "non-meat" products that contain the sugar molecule like medicine capsules, gelatin, milk products, baby formulas and even tattoo ink can cause a reaction after the tick bite.
"Somebody who is seriously concerned that they have alpha gal syndrome would need to have this diagnosed with an allergist, and get a lot of help managing their diets, to try to avoid the allergies as much as possible," Dinh recommended.
Dinh said the only way to prevent the allergy is to not get bit by ticks. Using repellents and avoiding tick-infested areas are the only deterrent.
