Tick Bite Might Turn You Into a Vegetarian

Tick bites can be annoying, and in some cases, they can even bring potentially dangerous health issues to mind--including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. However, did you know some types of tick bites could actually make you allergic to red meat? Doctors across the country have noticed a surge in meat allergies, and an insect knick-named after the state of Texas may be to blame.

An allergy caused by a bite from the Lone Star tick can actually cause hives, breathing problems, a significant drop in blood pressure and even anaphylactic shock following consumption of red meat or even dairy products, according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, via the Washington Post.

Health officials note that what it all comes down to is the friendly-sounding sugar known as "alpha-gal" that ticks carry but humans don't. This same component is produced in red meat, pork and even some dairy products. Though it doesn't typically interfere with the human digestive tract, when the Lone-Star tick takes a juicy bite out of its next victim, the insect injects the sugar into the individual's bloodstream. From there, antibodies are activated next time the person eats red meat, resulting in an allergic reaction.

The bizarre issue was only discovered a few years back when ticks started spreading across parts of the Southwest and migrating their way up East. Researchers also believe that some other types of ticks may be responsible for meat allergies, including those from Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Japan and Korea, according to the Denver Post Airlines.

Fortunately, there are treatments for this health issue, including certain antihistamines and epinephrine.