Meat allergy from tick bites is on the rise—and US doctors are in the dark

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Meat allergy from tick bites is on the rise—and US doctors are in the dark

The allergy, called alpha-gal syndrome, came to light a little over a decade ago.

https://arstechnica.com/health/2023/07/tick-bites-can-cause-meat-allergies-up-to-450000-people-in-us-may-be-affected/Open link View original on kbin.social

Comments7

7 replies

LoafyLemon

kbin.social

The interesting part:

But, in recent years, researchers have also discovered that alpha-gal is in tick saliva. And, for reasons researchers still haven't worked out, some people bitten by ticks develop a type of antibody called anti-alpha-gal IgE. This antibody may help protect people from tick bites, but it also renders them allergic to anything with alpha-gal—i.e., mammalian meat and animal products. It's a double-edged sword that has been hypothesized to be an "allergic klendusity."

PETA Bioweaponry!

Erikatharsis reply

I mean, it's probably not a particularly fun experience to only find out that you have this allergy after you almost fucking die eight hours after getting a vaccine with trace amounts of alpha-gal in it, in severe cases.

As the disease rises in prominence, I reckon we'll start to see at-home tests. I certainly hope that happens.

PsychedSy reply

lemmy.world

I would lose a lot of weight before I shot myself at least so, yeah, prolly a good thing.

Machinist3359 reply

kbin.social

Even as a vegan, I'll say, robbing folks of autonomy over food is truly awful. Food holds deep cultural and psychological meanings.

I'd take a few folks eating meat less regularly (willingly, and seeing value in it) over any number of folks forced into vegetarianism.

HubertManne

kbin.social

ouch. the gelatin is tough nutrition wise.

TimeSquirrel

kbin.social