These SC ticks can make you allergic to red meat. Here’s how to spot and avoid them

https://www.thestate.com ^ | UPDATED SEPTEMBER 01, 2022 12:51 PM | BY PATRICK MCCRELESS

[Red Badger]

VIDEO AT LINK.....

A pest management specialist from the University of Maine explains how to safely remove ticks. BY UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

South Carolina meat lovers may want to do all they can to prevent bites from the lone star tick. It’s tick season in South Carolina until the end of September and while all these blood-sucking insects can potentially transmit different diseases, the lone star is known for causing alpha-gal syndrome — a type of food allergy to red meat.

According to Clemson University Public Service and Agriculture, the lone star tick is the most collected species in South Carolina. They will feed on humans and other animals.

ALPHA-GAL SYNDROME

The Mayo Clinic states that a lone star tick bite can transmit a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into a person’s body. In some people, this can trigger “an immune system reaction that later produces mild to severe allergic reactions to red meat, such beef, pork, lamb or other mammal products.” Researchers now believe that some people who test negative for other food allergies, but have frequent, unexplained anaphylactic reactions, might be affected by alpha-gal syndrome.

Symptoms Alpha-gal allergic reactions are usually delayed compared to other food allergies. While reactions to peanut or shellfish allergies can happen in minutes, alpha-gal syndrome reactions usually take 3 to 6 hours.

Signs and symptoms may include:

Hives, itching, or itchy, scaly skin (eczema)

Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other body parts

Wheezing or shortness of breath

A runny nose

Stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

Sneezing Headaches

A severe, potentially deadly allergic reaction that restricts breathing (anaphylaxis)

Seek emergency medical treatment if you develop signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis such as:

Difficulty breathing

Rapid, weak pulse

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Drooling and inability to swallow

Full-body redness and warmth (flushing)

LONE STAR TICK

The lone star tick can grow to about 0.4 inches in size, have flat bodies and eight legs. They are solid brown, though females also have a white, star-like dot on the middle of their backs. Lone star ticks prefer living in wooded environments and can be found anywhere that animals rest or feed. Often, the bite of a lone star tick will go undetected.

TICK PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Avoiding tick bites is the key to prevention. Protect against tick bites by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts Use insect repellents when you’re in wooded, grassy areas Do a thorough, full-body tick check after spending time outside If you find a lone star tick on your body, remove it using tweezers. Pluck it from your body as close to the tick’s mouth parts as possible. Do not crush or squeeze the tick’s body, otherwise whatever pathogens it is harboring may be injected into the wound

Companion animal and livestock owners are encouraged to work with their veterinarian to determine an appropriate tick prevention and treatment program for their animals

Pasture and lawn control measures—such as maintaining low grass height, controlling weeds and other brushy areas, and removing woody debris from pasture and lawn edges—can reduce tick-bite risk.

Maintaining a 9-foot distance between pasture or lawn and wooded edge habitat can reduce the risk of tick contact

This story was originally published August 29, 2022 5:00 AM.

Read more at: https://www.thestate.com/news/state/south-carolina/article265024929.html#storylink=cpy

[GunRunner]

Rogan has a friend who had one of these things burrow into his belly button.

Gross.

[G Larry]

Based upon your prior posting, we can expect those tick bites will soon be mandated...

[Red Badger]

Maybe that’s what those aircraft are dropping into the woods...................

[M Kehoe]

I hate ticks.

Especially seed ticks.

Almost as small as no see ems.

5.56mm

[Red Badger]

I’ll trade you fire ants....................

[hillarys cankles]

could make you allergic to red meat. How convenient

[9YearLurker]

Bioweapon created to force us to give up red meat?

[M Kehoe]

Pass.

I got a ton of my own.

5.56mm

[Red Badger]

Maybe we can eat them......................

[M Kehoe]

I think you can eat the black ants, but not the red.

5.56mm

[G Larry]

How many fire ants in a ton?

[Red Badger]

Yeah, too spicy...................🤢

[M Kehoe]

Hi guy.

The exact number is 2,845,630 fire ants per ton. Minus the queen.

5.56mm

[mabarker1]

Female

Male

Disgusting critters.

I HATE: Flies, Fleas, Ticks, Fireants, Cockroaches, most Lawyers, Politicians !!!

[dfwgator]

[mabarker1]

And I avoid them by being in North Carolina.

[Alas Babylon!]

Shouldn’t Lone Star ticks be in the Lone Star state? Avoid Texas, too!

Especially Californians!

[caprock]

Fire ants - the most vicious creatures on the planet. Nuke 'em!!!

Apologies - Your post triggered my PTHSD (post traumatic Houston-TX stress disorder.)

[Libloather]

...explains how to safely remove ticks.