Lone star ticks are covering much of the U.S. Here's what you need to know

Lone star ticks are found across much of the United States and can transmit alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that causes allergic reactions to red meat. The New Yorker writer Burkhard Bilger reported on the ticks and the syndrome in a recent article. Alpha-gal syndrome occurs when a tick bite introduces alpha-gal, a sugar molecule, into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response in some people. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, and severe allergic reactions after consuming beef, pork, or lamb.

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