Texas’ Worst Nightmare: A Tick Bite That Makes You Allergic To Meat

lone-star-tick

The Lone Star tick is a pest indigenous to the Midwest and Eastern United States, whose bite also comes with a pretty nasty side effect: turning its victims vegetarian.

According to the science side of the internet, the ticks contain a sugar called Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, or alpha-gal, that is also present in red meat and some dairy products. When bitten, the human body’s immune response creates antibodies to the sugar, resulting in a mild to severe allergic reaction whenever that person bites into a burger.

At least one doctor in Virginia says he sees “two to three new cases every week,” with most instances in people with no previous food allergies, though some patients do show signs of recovery over time.

Somewhere up there, the guys who founded PETA are laughing their vegan little heads off.

H/T NBC New York

More content

Eating Out
These Los Angeles Restaurants Earn First-Ever Three Michelin Stars in City’s History
The SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center hosted chefs and restaurateurs from throughout California on June 25 for this year’s Michelin Guide announcement. There, Michelin…
,
Products
This Dill Pickle Cheese Is Only Available At Target
Dill pickle has to be the longest-running flavor craze in recent memory. Crystal Farms Dairy Co. is joining in on the fun with a new…
,
Eating Out
The Daily Double Makes It’s Way To The McValue Menu
Look alive Golden Arches fans! There’s more McValue for your McBuck at McDonald’s coming your way with a huge fan-favorite getting a national release. After…
,
Burger
We Deliver!

Enter your email address below and we'll deliver our top stories straight to your inbox