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Sorry, but there’s a weird new tick danger you need to know about
Sorry, But There’s a Weird New Tick Danger You Need to Know About
A bite from certain bugs can trigger an allergy to some of your favorite foods – seriously! Learn the facts and how to stay safe
By: Hallie Levine
Key Takeaways
- A tick bite can lead to alpha-gal syndrome in some people, causing a red-meat allergy.
- Symptoms can include a rash or hives, stomach issues (diarrhea, vomiting), swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat; and difficulty breathing.
- To prevent alpha-gal syndrome, treat your property to minimize ticks and take steps to avoid getting bitten.
It sounds like a plot straight out of science fiction: A person gets bitten by a tick and develops a lifelong allergy to red meat, meaning they can never eat a juicy smash burger or steak again. But in a case of truth being stranger than fiction, it’s a very real new risk.
You probably know to be cautious about ticks when outdoors gardening or hiking. These insects can transmit a slew of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illnesses like Lyme disease, Powassan virus, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
But here’s the new concern: A tick bite can also lead to alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a red-meat allergy. This once-rare condition is currently exploding. The number of cases has risen by over 5,500% from 2015 to 2025, according to a 2025 study, with the biggest increases among those over 40. The CDC currently estimates that as many as 450,000 Americans may have AGS.
“In my 40-plus years of practice, I had only seen a handful of patients with alpha-gal syndrome,” says Richard Horowitz, MD, a recently retired tick disease specialist in Hyde Park, New York, and author of Why Can’t I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease. “But in the last few years, there has definitely been a surge in cases.”
The culprit is the rise of the Lone Star tick, which carry the alpha-gal sugar in their saliva, Horowitz explains. While in the past, these bugs were mainly found in southeastern states, warmer winters mean they’ve expanded their habitat into the Northeast and Midwest, sometimes even traveling as far as Canada.
What is alpha-gal syndrome, exactly?
Alpha-gal is a molecule naturally produced in most mammals’ saliva (although not in humans). It can also be found in a Lone Star tick’s saliva.
“When a tick bites you, it transfers alpha-gal from its saliva into your blood, which can cause some people to develop antibodies from it,” says Dr. Horowitz. In these cases, a genetically predisposed person’s immune system can leap into overdrive and identify alpha-gal as a threat. The next time you’re exposed to it — usually when consuming beef, pork or lamb, which can contain the molecule — you have an allergic reaction, which sometimes can be life-threatening.
How do you know you have alpha-gal?
The symptoms of alpha-gal include a rash or hives; swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat; stomach pain, diarrhea, and/or vomiting; and breathing difficulties. But it can be tricky to spot because unlike other food allergies, symptoms usually don’t start until several hours after a person has eaten meat, notes Dr. Horowitz, which leaves room to wonder what triggered the problem. In fact, some people with alpha-gal are misdiagnosed with another condition like irritable bowel syndrome, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
If you consistently experience symptoms a number of hours after you’ve eaten meat (especially after 10pm at night, when many AGS episodes occur), then it can be wise to get tested. A blood test that looks for antibodies specific to alpha-gal is used for diagnosis.
What do you do if you have alpha-gal?
There currently aren’t any treatments for alpha-gal syndrome. “The best way to manage alpha-gal syndrome is through avoidance,” says Dr. Horowitz. The CDC says the biggest culprit is mammal meat like beef, pork or lamb, but alpha-gal is also found in:
- Milk and milk products
- Gelatin made from beef or pork
- Products made or cooked with mammal fat, like lard, tallow, or suet
- Meat broth, bouillon, stock, and gravy
- Certain medications and vaccines
You may not need to avoid all of these products, though. For instance, many people with AGS can safely tolerate milk products.
If you do have alpha-gal syndrome, you’ll want to see an allergist for guidance. Most people with alpha-gal need to carry epinephrine (aka an EpiPen) with them in case they develop a life-threatening allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. You’ll also want to talk to your doctor about the safety of new medications and vaccines you’re considering since they may contain small amounts of alpha-gal.
Also double-down on avoiding future tick bites (see tips below). “They can reactivate an allergic reaction to alpha-gal, and significantly worsen symptoms,” explains Dr. Horowitz.
How can I prevent alpha-gal?
The best way to prevent alpha-gal is to prevent tick bites, stresses Dr. Horowitz. When you’re outdoors, even if you are just in your garden, take the following precautions:
- Wear bug spray when you’re outdoors. Horowitz recommends that you apply bug spray, even if you’re just weeding for a few minutes. The CDC recommends one that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE).
- Treat clothing with permethrin. The CDC advises that you look for a product (usually a spray) that contains 0.5% permethrin. You can also buy clothing that’s already been pre-treated.
- Always do a tick check after time outdoors where ticks could be present. You can also use a tick mitt to wipe down your clothing and pets before you enter your home.
- Use insect-control lawn food and lawn products to control bugs, like Ortho Tick B-gon. Also make your yard inhospitable to ticks by mowing often, removing old leaves, and establishing a 3’-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and any wooded areas.
Taking these steps can help you sidestep AGS and secure your family’s well-being.
About the Writer
Hallie Levine is an award-winning health journalist for such publications such as Time, Parents, and Good Housekeeping. She lives in Fairfield, Connecticut with her three kids and her dog, Wiggins.