Racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, tick might ruin your next BBQ

Texans, beware: the "lone star" tick might make you swear off meat

URL: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/lone-star-tick-alpha-gal-syndrome/

Texans, your beloved "lone star" state pride might come with a cost: the "lone star" tick, found in the eastern, southeastern, and south-central regions of the US, could turn you off meat for good.

What's the deal with this tick?

The "lone star" tick, according to the CDC, is an aggressive little monster that loves to chow down on humans and transmit diseases. The female of the species has a distinctive white dot or "lone star" on its back.

What is alpha-gal syndrome?

The tick's saliva contains a sugar molecule called alpha-gal. When this bad boy bites you, your immune system might say "hell no" to alpha-gal. Then, if you eat red meat or dairy, your body could go into full revolt with an allergic reaction.

URL: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/pdfs/Tick_surveillance-P.pdf

The CDC estimates that up to 450,000 people may have experienced this allergic reaction and not reported it.

Symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome:

• Hives or itching
• Itchy or scaly skin
• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat, or other body parts
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Stomach pain, diarrhea, upset stomach, or vomiting

The Mayo Clinic says get your butt to the ER if you experience:

• Trouble breathing
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Drooling and inability to swallow
• Full-body redness and warmth

Which states have the most cases?

According to the CDC, these states have the highest number of suspected cases from Jan 2017 to Dec 2022:

• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Tennessee
• Virginia

What foods might trigger a reaction?

• Red meat (beef, pork, lamb)
• Organ meats
• Products from mammals (gelatin, dairy)

How to avoid getting bitten:

Some preventative measures from the Mayo Clinic:

• Cover up
• Bug spray, bug spray, bug spray!
• Make your yard a tick-free zone
• Check yourself and your kids for ticks
• Shower ASAP after potential exposure
• Remove ticks quickly and safely

PETA to Gov. Abbott: Embrace the "lone star" tick as the state arachnid

PETA is calling on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to embrace the "lone star" tick as a symbol of Texas pride, because its ability to induce meat allergies might just turn Texans vegan:

"Just as the Texas flag has one star, female lone star ticks have one star-shaped spot on their back. What’s special about them is that their bite can lead to alpha-gal syndrome, causing an allergic reaction to red meat and dairy products. In 2024, no one should still be clinging to that dirty old meat-eating habit, and anyone ticked off by the way the meat industry treats animals and destroys the environment should go vegan."

URLs:

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/pdfs/Tick_surveillance-P.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7230a2.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alpha-gal-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20428608

https://www.peta.org/blog/lone-star-tick-state-arachnid-texas/