The Lone Star tick, a tiny insect usually found in the southeastern and south-central states, has expanded its range to cover areas as far west as Nebraska and as far north as Maine. According to a 2014 study, this is the first update on the tick’s movement since the 1940s. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially classified the Lone Star tick as an established population.
A significant concern associated with the Lone Star tick is its ability to cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. The tick carries an allergy that makes people dangerously allergic to red meat, known as Alpha-gal syndrome. This rare condition was introduced to the US through international travel and has been on the rise due to the increased presence of the Lone Star tick.
To raise awareness about this issue, InvestigateTV spoke with a man who experiences Alpha-gal syndrome firsthand.
Source: https://www.kgns.tv/2024/10/28/how-tick-bite-can-lead-dangerous-allergy-red-meat