The explosion of ticks and Alpha-gal syndrome

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.

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