According to a recent report, bites from chiggers, a small parasite, have been linked
to an allergy to red meat.
to an allergy to red meat.
Common during summer, chiggers are a type of
mite that can cause itchy red spots on the skin. The tiny arachnids live in
forests and grassy areas. While the adults eat plants, the larvae feed on skin.
mite that can cause itchy red spots on the skin. The tiny arachnids live in
forests and grassy areas. While the adults eat plants, the larvae feed on skin.
When humans walk through these areas, chiggers
often attach themselves to the body and inject saliva into the skin, releasing
enzymes that break down skin cells so the chiggers can digest them.
often attach themselves to the body and inject saliva into the skin, releasing
enzymes that break down skin cells so the chiggers can digest them.
But researchers now believe this saliva
contains more than just enzymes. Like that of ticks, chigger saliva might also
contain galactose, a muscle carb also found in meat. When a chigger bites the
skin, the body’s immune system produces antibodies to defend against the
galactose in the chigger’s saliva. These antibodies can then react the same way
to the galactose in meat, triggering an allergic response.
contains more than just enzymes. Like that of ticks, chigger saliva might also
contain galactose, a muscle carb also found in meat. When a chigger bites the
skin, the body’s immune system produces antibodies to defend against the
galactose in the chigger’s saliva. These antibodies can then react the same way
to the galactose in meat, triggering an allergic response.
Scott Commins, an immunologist at the
University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, said:
University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, said:
The notion of
chiggers causing red-meat allergy makes sense. Both [chiggers and ticks] can
take blood meals through the skin, which is the ideal route to create an
allergic response.
A few years ago news broke that tick bites around the world had been causing an allergic
reaction to certain animal products. Some sensitive immune systems
react to proteins in the parasite’s saliva and become intolerant of meat and
even dairy and gelatin.
reaction to certain animal products. Some sensitive immune systems
react to proteins in the parasite’s saliva and become intolerant of meat and
even dairy and gelatin.
Cases of such allergies have been found in
parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, and Central America, and they are
most prevalently on the rise in Australia and the United States.
parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, and Central America, and they are
most prevalently on the rise in Australia and the United States.
While some people are forced to give up cruel
animal products because of a chigger or tick bite, millions of others are
voluntarily giving them up after learning about the harsh realities animals
face at factory farms. Cows, pigs, chickens, and fish raised and killed for food
are subjected to unthinkable cruelties: tiny, filthy cages; horrific
mutilations; and violent slaughter.
animal products because of a chigger or tick bite, millions of others are
voluntarily giving them up after learning about the harsh realities animals
face at factory farms. Cows, pigs, chickens, and fish raised and killed for food
are subjected to unthinkable cruelties: tiny, filthy cages; horrific
mutilations; and violent slaughter.
Sounds terrible, right? See for yourself.
Don’t wait until chiggers or ticks force you
to leave animal products behind. Make the compassionate choice today. Order
your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide to learn how. And
check out our Pinterest page for thousands of recipe ideas.
to leave animal products behind. Make the compassionate choice today. Order
your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide to learn how. And
check out our Pinterest page for thousands of recipe ideas.
