“Alpha-gal syndrome is triggered when a tick bite causes a person’s immune system to develop an allergic reaction to meat, including beef, pork or lamb.”

  • chellewalker@lemmy.ca
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    22 hours ago

    My step-dad got bit by one of these. He can only eat chicken now and it sucks.

    • BeUnique@lemmy.zip
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      17 hours ago

      It’s so scary that a bite from something the size of a pea can drastically change your life… Does he remember when being bitten and how long it took him to start having side effects?

    • MinnesotaGoddam@lemmy.world
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      15 hours ago

      huh. i know a dude who got bitten by one and he’s had to swear off all meat products, even poultry and fish. he was in cooking school learning vegan cookery when i met him.

      • GalacticRobot@lemmy.world
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        18 hours ago

        Yeah, it’s becoming more common as the carrier ticks are able to expand due to climate change and more people are outdoors. There isn’t a good solution/treatment yet either, and it effects people differently. For some it’s a 3 month allergy, for many, it’s permanent.