As tick season returns and more people head outdoors, a lesser-known condition is getting renewed attention: alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). Often called the “red meat allergy,” AGS is an unusual allergic reaction.
After a tick bite, the body can become sensitive to alpha-gal, a sugar molecule found in most mammal meat. Everyday foods such as beef, pork, or lamb can cause delayed and sometimes serious allergic reactions. Some medications and products made from animal ingredients may also contain alpha-gal.
