Lone star ticks can be found throughout Florida and Georgia. While all ticks are concerning as they can spread diseases like Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the lone star tick can cause you multiple issues -- including a disease that can make you allergic to meat.
Dean Cecil kept experiencing an outbreak of hives and didn’t know why.
“We finally figured out that it was from eating beef or a hamburger,” he said.
Even more bizarre, Cecil’s doctor told him the cause of the allergy was a tick bite.
“I pulled the tick off of me. It was a light brown tick with a white dot on its back.”
RELATED: How to avoid ticks & safely remove one
The lone star tick’s most distinctive feature is its starlike white splotch, found on adult females. And while other ticks spread germs that cause more widely known diseases like Lyme, a bite from this species can cause a whole range of issues.
“With these ticks, you have to worry about more than just meat allergies. They can also spread diseases like ehrlichiosis, which, if left untreated, can damage the brain or nervous system, and the Heartland virus, which can cause fever, fatigue, and joint pain,” explained Consumer Reports Health Editor Catherine Roberts.
Lone star ticks used to be found mostly in the Southeastern U.S. But that’s changing.
“With a warming climate and especially with the growth of local deer populations, many northern states and even parts of Canada are becoming a lot more hospitable to these ticks,” Roberts said.
And as with other tick species, using an effective insect repellent is one key way of protecting against tick bites. The most effective repellents against mosquitoes and ticks contain 25% to 30% Deet as their active ingredient.
Based on Consumer Reports’ latest exclusive tests, recommended repellents include Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes, Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent Wilderness Formula Pump, and 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent8. All provide excellent protection.
Another handy anti-tick measure is to wear clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin. Click here for advice from Consumer Reports on how to use permethrin safely.