Nashville, Tenn. — Doctors at Vanderbilt University say they’re treating an increasing number of patients with a red meat allergy linked to tick bites.
The allergy, called alpha-gal syndrome, can cause hives, vomiting or even breathing problems hours after eating beef, pork or lamb.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, a bite from the Lone Star tick can cause people to develop the allergy. The tick is found primarily in the Southeastern U.S., from Texas, to Iowa, into New England.
Doctors say a meat allergy can develop at any time in life, and if you’re allergic to one type of meat, you’re possibly allergic to others.
Experts say better awareness and improved testing methods are responsible for the rise of alpha-gal syndrome.
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