It’s Not Just Disease That Ticks Carry, Their Bite is Harmful
Ticks are known to harbor disease, but did you know their bites alone can be cause for concern? Some people have an allergy to their bite and can develop alarming symptoms. Everyone is aware that ticks can carry dangerous illnesses, such as:
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tularemia
- Ehrlichiosis
- Relapsing fever
- Colorado tick fever
- Babesiosis
However, fewer people are familiar with the fact that, even without the presence of a disease, tick saliva can be harmful to humans. Proteins in tick spit impacts our immune cells so that ticks can feed on us without our blood clotting. And it is these proteins that can lead to severe allergic reactions.
According to Trends in Parasitology, researchers recently discovered allergic reactions caused by tick bites in humans. It is now believed that thousands of people are affected each year, mostly in the U.S. and Australia. As research improves, it is believed more people with tick allergies will be diagnosed.
In addition to typical allergic reactions like, swelling, itching, blistering, and in rare cases anaphylactic shock, researchers think tick bites might also lead to red meat and gelatin allergies.
The studies are still new, but one theory suggests there are proteins in the tick saliva modified by a compound called alpha-gal that changes the immune response in humans. The alpha-gal modified proteins cannot be synthesized by humans so it is believed our immune systems attack.
For people who have developed red meat and gelatin allergies after tick bites, it is believed their immune system continues to attack alpha-gal even after the tick is removed. Red meat and gelatin have a variation of alpha-gal.
Prevention
When it comes to tick bites, and their aftermath, prevention is the best approach.
Backyard Tick Treatment Program: Contact professionals who can treat your yard using synthetic or organic techniques that will not harm your family or pets. Click here to learn more about tick treatment programs in your area.
Avoid Areas Tick Love: These places include heavily wooded areas and high grass crossings and fields. Also, be sure to clear debris from your yard and keep the area around your house trimmed.
It’s also a good idea to check your family and pets for ticks every day. If you have any symptoms such as a rash, swelling or blistering after a tick bite, contact your doctor.