Meet the lone star tick: the primary U.S. source of alpha-gal syndrome, which is a life-threatening meat allergy that’s on the rise
A growing number of people in the U.S. are developing alpha-gal syndrome, a severe allergy to red meat and dairy products, triggered by the bite of the lone star tick. This condition, which causes symptoms ranging from hives to digestive issues, is becoming more prevalent due to increased awareness and the expanding geographic range of the tick. While historically managed by dietary avoidance and emergency epinephrine, the recent approval of the first drug for alpha-gal syndrome offers new hope for treatment. AI