The explosion of ticks and Alpha-gal syndrome
August 23, 2026 / 9:16 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are on the rise.
- Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat (beef, pork, lamb, venison) and sometimes dairy, can be triggered by a lone star tick bite.
- Reactions to Alpha-gal syndrome can range from rashes and swelling to anaphylactic shock.
- The increase in ticks is associated with a large deer population, as white-tailed deer are the primary breeding ground for lone star ticks.
- Preventative measures include spraying skin and clothing with repellent, high-heat drying of clothes after being outdoors, and thorough self-checks for ticks.
- Some individuals may see their Alpha-gal allergy improve over time if they avoid further tick bites.