Could a tick bite make you allergic to bacon, burgers and steak? As strange as it sounds, it can happen.
Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious food allergy linked to the bite of a lone star tick. Symptoms can appear hours after eating beef, pork, venison or other mammal-based products and may range from stomach issues and hives to severe allergic reactions.
Missouri is one of the states where lone star ticks are common, making awareness and prevention especially important. Since there's no cure, preventing tick bites is key and recognizing symptoms early may help you get the care you need.
MU Extension offers credible resources with information on symptoms, testing, prevention tips and guidance on food substitutions and avoiding hidden mammal ingredients.
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