Ticks are known for transmitting infections that can cause serious illnesses, including Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.
However, they are also responsible for a lesser-known condition: alpha-gal syndrome, a life-threatening meat allergy.
First linked to a particular species of ticks about 15 years ago, the syndrome is being diagnosed more frequently as awareness grows and more people report allergic symptoms after eating meat and, in some cases, dairy.
The allergy does not impact consumption of seafood or poultry, chicken, turkey and eggs.
What causes it?
