Montana Could See Rise in Tick-Linked Meat Allergy

There is a tick that can cause you to become allergic to red meat. And yeah, it’s spreading. Fast.

This same tick, the lone star, named for the speck of white on its back, has been causing a surge in something called alpha-gal syndrome. One bite, and your system may suddenly decide that bacon is poison. You’re not going to react immediately either. You’ll eat a burger, go to bed, and wake up with hives, vomiting, maybe even trouble breathing.

It's a "Southern Problem"

It used to be something I heard more about in the South, mostly in Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. But warmer winters and a greater number of deer in suburban settings mean that the "southern" problem is moving north. It’s already in New York and Maine, according to new data. Could Montana be on the list next?

The Guardian spoke with scientists and doctors who have observed the allergy. There is no cure, no vaccine, no "just get over it." You kind of have to steer clear of beef, pork, and lamb if you don’t want to test fate with your immune system.

And here’s where it gets personal. If you spend any time outside in Montana. Whether you're camping, fishing, hiking, working in tall grass, or just glassing a canyon, there’s a solid chance you’re going to bump into ticks. They don’t care what part of the North you live in. If the deer are here and the temps keep climbing, the ticks are there.

So what now?

Spray your clothes. Wear long pants in the brush. Check yourself after being out in the woods. And if you start feeling strange a few hours after eating that steak, have a conversation with a doctor. Alpha-gal can be tested for. But not nearly enough people have even heard about it yet.