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Got this blood type? Ticks might love you more than others
Scientists say people with type A blood could be tastier to ticks and at greater risk of Lyme disease
If you’ve ever wondered why you always seem to be the one getting bitten on a walk through the woods, your blood might be to blame.A fascinating study out of Masaryk University in the Czech Republic found that ticks may actually have a preference when it comes to blood type and type A seems to be at the top of their menu.
Researchers placed droplets of different blood types (A, B, AB and O) onto sterile paper inside Petri dishes, then released common European ticks (Ixodes ricinus) to see which they’d choose. Time and time again, a clear winner emerged: about 36% of the ticks made a beeline for the type A sample. On the other hand, type B was the least popular on the buffet.
As lead researcher Dr Alena Zakovska put it, "blood type may be an important factor in the likelihood of being bitten.”
Now, before you panic and stay indoors forever, it’s worth remembering that a tick bite isn’t always dangerous but it can be. The biggest risk is Lyme disease, a bacterial infection ticks can carry that causes flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and sometimes a bullseye-shaped rash. Left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems affecting your joints, heart and nervous system.
Estimates suggest around 17% of ticks might carry the bacteria, so it’s worth taking precautions, especially if you’re part of that unfortunate type A crowd. Celebrities like Bella Hadid, Shania Twain, Alec Baldwin and Ben Stiller have all spoken publicly about their struggles with Lyme disease.
There’s also a strange condition known as alpha-gal syndrome, which has been linked to tick bites. It causes an allergy to red meat, meaning your steak-and-chips dinners might be off the table if you’re unlucky enough to develop it.
The good news? You can still enjoy the great outdoors; just cover up, use insect repellent, and give yourself a quick check when you get home - especially if you happen to have the blood that ticks are most likely to choose for dinner.
Image: Erik Karits/Pexels
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