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Tick Bite Mystery: Rare Allergy Strikes!
2 Jan
Summary
- Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne illness, affects up to 450,000 Americans.
- Symptoms include allergic reactions to meat and mammal products.
- Rising global temperatures are increasing tick-borne illness prevalence.
A mysterious illness, alpha-gal syndrome, has impacted thousands of Americans, causing severe allergic reactions to meat and mammal products. The condition, linked to Lone Star tick bites, left individuals like Ashley Courtney and Debra Schaefer with unexplained symptoms for months before diagnosis.
Symptoms can range from hives and gastrointestinal distress to anaphylaxis, affecting not only food but also products derived from mammals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates up to 450,000 people may be affected, with a concentration in Eastern and Southern states.
Experts note that rising global temperatures create favorable conditions for ticks, expanding their habitats and the transmission of tick-borne diseases. Awareness campaigns and personal protective measures are crucial to mitigate the growing threat of this often-misunderstood syndrome.
