Recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, studies estimate about 476,000 Americans may be diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. But there’s another fast-growing tick-borne condition you’ve probably never heard of – and it could change your life forever.
Tick-borne diseases are on the rise, and not just in the places you might expect. Alpha-gal syndrome, or AGS, is one tick-triggered allergy that can change what you eat, the medications you tolerate and how you live the rest of your life.
The rise of tick-borne diseases
According to an article by the National Institutes of Health, “bites from infected ticks are responsible for about half a million new illnesses each year in the U.S. And those numbers are rising.” While Tick-Borne Conditions United notes that Lyme disease remains the most commonly reported tick-borne disease, AGS is quickly emerging as a serious – yet widely overlooked – threat.
A recent analysis of lab data suggests that AGS may already be the second most-common tick-borne illness in the U.S., even though it’s not officially tracked in most states, and the CDC determined that many health care providers are unfamiliar with the condition. As a result, most Americans are unaware that a single tick bite could make them allergic to mammalian meat, dairy, medications, and even health and beauty products.
Communities at risk
The risk of encountering disease-carrying ticks extends far beyond remote wilderness trails. People with certain occupations and recreational lifestyles face predominantly high exposure.
Farmers, landscapers, park rangers and military members often work in wooded or grassy environments where ticks thrive. With extended hours outdoors and frequent contact with vegetation and animals, these workers are at the front lines of tick-borne illness risk.
Outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, campers, hunters and birdwatchers – even people walking their dog – regularly immerse themselves in tick habitats, often during peak season, which is April through June. Children involved in youth organizations such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4-H also spend time in similar environments, increasing their vulnerability to tick bites and potential infections.
Unexpected sources of tick bites
Many people assume tick bites only happen in the deep woods or on backcountry hikes. In reality, some of the most overlooked risk factors are much closer to home.
Household pets that spend time outside, particularly dogs, can unknowingly bring ticks indoors. Even if a pet is treated with a tick preventive, it may still carry ticks on its fur, creating a potential exposure risk for everyone in the home.
Ticks are also increasingly found in urban and suburban areas. Landscaped golf courses, well-tended city parks and even community gardens can harbor these parasites. In some regions, tick presence has even been documented near beaches.
Since their initial sighting on Martha’s Vineyard more than a decade ago, the Vineyard Gazette recently reported that lone star ticks have been sighted along nearly all of the island’s coastline. On the West Coast, NPR reported that the coastal shrubs and grasses in Northern California are a surprising new habitat for ticks.
Common tick species and the diseases they carry
While Lyme disease remains the most recognized tick-borne illness, alpha-gal syndrome is rapidly gaining ground. Once thought to be caused only by the lone star tick, CDC studies now confirm that other tick species – including the blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks – may also trigger AGS in the United States.
“There’s so much more to the puzzle of tick-borne diseases that we don’t understand,” says public health expert Jennifer Platt, DrPH, co-founder of Tick-Borne Conditions United. “With thousands of Lyme patients telling us they can’t tolerate red meat, we’ve long suspected other ticks are involved.”
This shifting science adds urgency. Blacklegged ticks, known for spreading Lyme, are common in the Eastern U.S. and Midwest. Western blacklegged ticks thrive along the Pacific Coast. And lone star ticks, once considered a Southern problem, have now expanded into the Northeast, Midwest and Southwest. That means millions of Americans may be at risk for AGS and not even know it.
Unlike Lyme, AGS has no cure, no universal treatment and no consistent tracking system. Additionally, many doctors aren’t familiar with it, testing is limited and patients can spend years searching for answers.
Preventing tick bites
Avoiding tick bites is essential to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases. Ticks are active every season except deep winter, so take preventive measures year-round. Dr. Thomas Mather, director of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease and its TickEncounter Resource Center and one of the country’s foremost tick experts, promotes the three T’s for personal tick protection: tucking, treated clothing and tight-fitting compression clothing.
Before heading outdoors, Mather also recommends applying an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil to exposed skin and clothing. You can also follow product instructions to treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin or buy pretreated items designed to repel ticks.
Dress to prevent contact by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, but be sure to tuck your shirt in at the waist and your pant cuffs into your socks. Tight-fitting, compression-style clothing like leggings and insect-repelling shirts from Rynoskin help keep ticks from crawling up inside of clothing. Stick to well-trodden trails and avoid brushing against tall grasses and shrubs.
After returning indoors, place worn clothing in a dryer on high heat for at least 15 minutes before washing to kill any hidden ticks. Perform a thorough tick check, especially underarms, behind ears, in the belly button, behind knees, around the waist, between legs and on the scalp, especially at the hairline. Showering within two hours may help wash off unattached ticks and is a good time to check your body.
Inspect pets that spend time outside, as they can carry ticks indoors. Ask your vet about effective prevention options and check pets daily.
Identify and report ticks
If you discover a tick attached to your body, remove it immediately. The CDC recommends using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Twisting or jerking can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain embedded. After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Whenever possible, save the tick in a sealed container or plastic bag, noting the date and location of the bite. This can be useful if you develop symptoms later and need to identify the species involved. TickSpotters is a free, quick-turnaround tick identification program at The University of Rhode Island. Submit a photo of the top side of the tick to classify it and receive tips to reduce your risk of future tick bites.
Knowledge is your best repellent
As tick populations continue to grow and spread, so do the risks of the diseases they carry. Awareness is no longer an option with tick habitats spreading beyond their original range. Prevention is powerful – and it starts with you. Staying informed, practicing safe outdoor habits and reporting tick encounters are powerful tools to protect not just yourself, but your broader community.
Sage Scott was diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome in March 2021. She is the creator of Sage Alpha Gal, a trusted resource for the growing alpha-gal community that offers alpha-gal-friendly recipes, helpful tips and a supportive space to navigate life with AGS.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The content presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or dietary changes. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.
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