Bites from this GA tick could make you allergic to meat. What to know & places to avoid
Peak tick season in Georgia is April through September, but the little blood-suckers are typically seen year-round in the Peach State’s warm climate.
Commonly found ticks in Georgia include dog ticks and blacklegged ticks. However, the lonestar tick is the most aggressive in the state and according to Emory University, it is the most common tick found on humans. And it can cause big concerns.
In fact, tick borne illnesses are on the rise in the U.S. and they pose a bigger threat than mosquitos.
So, which ticks should you really watch out for and which one causes the allergy to red meat?
Here’s what to know:
Which tick causes a meat allergy?
You guessed it: the lonestar tick.
Appearance
The lonestar tick is named after its bright yellowish-white spot in the middle of its back. And although it is tiny, it is “aggressive in its quest for blood meals,” according to the Emory News Center.
“They can sense carbon dioxide from your exhaled breath and the vibrations from your movement in a forest,” said Stephanie Bellman, MD/PhD student in Emory’s School of Medicine. “They climb up onto vegetation and reach out their legs to grab onto you as you pass by.”
Threat
The lonestar tick is associated with Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an allergic condition that causes several symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn and an overall allergic reaction to red meat.
If you develop AGS from a lonestar tick bite, the CDC reported that symptoms will appear anywhere from two to six hours after eating red meat.
The CDC also reported that AGS reactions can be different from person-to-person and can be mild, severe or even life-threatening, especially if Anaphylaxis occurs.
However, there is some good news: not everyone has a reaction after AGS exposure.
How can I know if I’ve been bitten by one?
If you are bitten by a lonestar tick, you may have one or more of the following, according to Healthline:
a bull’s-eye rash ranging in size from 6 to 10 centimeters
headache
fever
muscle or joint pain
fatigue
skin ulcer
swollen lymph nodes, usually in the armpits or groin
If you suspect you’ve been bitten by a lonestar tick, you should contact your healthcare provider for an examination. Your doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics for any symptoms you have.
Where is the lonestar tick found in Georgia?
A group of Emory University professors and students formed a “tick team” in 2022 to research the tick population in Georgia and create a hotspot map for lonestar tick locations.
Here’s what the team found:
198 locations at 43 state parks and wildlife management areas across the state were surveyed from March to July 2022. The locations were analyzed using environmental data from different types of vegetation, land use, climate, elevation, etc., and lonestar ticks were found in all of the areas except in the Blue Ridge mountains area.
The majority of the ticks were found in forested areas of the Piedmont, Southeastern Plains and Southern Coastal Plains ecoregions,” as stated in the report.
The team’s map shows three levels of lonestar tick severity: low (green), medium (yellow) and high (red).
As far as Middle Georgia, the severity appears to be mostly at a medium severity, with some red spots sprinkled in. Below Middle Georgia is where the severity increases, but the further south you go, the lonestar tick population diminishes.
“They tend to be more prevalent in forested areas of mid-elevation — not too high or too low — and in soils that retain moisture but are not swampy,” said Bellman.
So, how can we prevent tick bites? Let’s dig in:
What are some tips to prevent tick bites or tick borne illnesses?
Here are some CDC tips to protect yourself from all tick bites:
Before you go outdoors:
Avoid grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, where ticks may be found.
Walk in the center of trails.
Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or buy pre-treated items.
After spending time outdoors:
Check your clothing for ticks.
Examine gear and pets.
Shower soon after being outdoors.
Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Place to check are: under the arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button, back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs and around the waist.
Do you have more questions? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published May 16, 2024, 6:00 AM.
