What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome? Understanding the Tick-Borne Red Meat Allergy

Most people are familiar with Lyme disease, but ticks can transmit other serious illnesses that are just as concerning. One tick-borne illness that has been receiving increased attention in recent years is Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a potentially life-changing allergic reaction triggered by the bite of an infected tick. As tick populations continue to expand throughout New England and Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome is becoming increasingly important for homeowners, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.

What is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal Syndrome is an allergic condition that can develop after a person is bitten by a tick, most commonly the Lone Star Tick. Alpha-gal is a molecule (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) that is naturally produced in the bodies of most mammals, except people, and can also be found in the saliva of some ticks. When a tick bites a person, it can trigger the body’s immune system to become sensitive to the molecule and cause an allergic reaction after consuming red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, venison, and other mammal-derived products. This is why Alpha-Gal Syndrome is also commonly referred to as red meat allergy or tick bite meat allergy. Unlike many food allergies that cause symptoms within minutes, Alpha-Gal reactions often occur several hours after eating red meat, making the condition more difficult to identify.

What Are the Symptoms of Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:

• Hives or itchy skin
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
• Stomach pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Anaphylaxis (a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction)

Because symptoms often occur several hours after consuming red meat, many people do not immediately connect their reaction to something they ate, which can delay diagnosis.

Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome Becoming More Common?

Health experts have reported increasing numbers of Alpha-Gal Syndrome cases in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 110,000 suspected cases of Alpha-Gal Syndrome were identified between 2010 and 2022. Because cases are not nationally reportable in every state, experts believe the actual number of people affected could be significantly higher. As populations of ticks, including Lone Star Ticks, continue to expand into new regions, researchers believe increased tick exposure may be contributing to the growing number of Alpha-Gal Syndrome cases. Areas throughout the Northeast, including Massachusetts, have seen increased awareness, testing, and diagnosis of the condition in recent years.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard

Many cases of Alpha-Gal Syndrome have been reported on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard within the past decade. The Lone Star tick was first documented in Cape Cod in 2015 and has become more common within the region. In Martha’s Vineyard, Alpha-Gal Syndrome has been labeled as an emerging health concern by many experts. According to Lea Hamner, a local epidemiologist, “Alpha-gal syndrome has been so explosive on Martha’s Vineyard that pretty much it comes up in every conversation that I have… even without folks knowing what I do for work.” In areas in the Cape and Islands, restaurants and food trucks are even starting to include alpha-gal-friendly food items on menus.

How Can You Protect Yourself and Your Property?

As awareness of Alpha-Gal Syndrome continues to grow across New England and other parts of the U.S., preventing tick bites remains one of the most important steps homeowners can take to protect their health. Whether you’re concerned about  Alpha-Gal Syndrome, Lyme disease, or other tick-borne illnesses, reducing tick populations around your property can help you enjoy your outdoor spaces with greater peace of mind. At Pure Solutions, our all-natural tick control programs target the areas where ticks are most commonly found, including shrubs, bushes, stone walls, wooded edges, groundcover, and other areas throughout your property. During each treatment, we apply our proprietary plant-based solution, which is designed to eliminate ticks on contact while providing residual protection between applications. Our treatment is effective against all tick species and life stages commonly found in New England.

For more information, contact the Pure Solutions team!

 

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, January 5). About alpha-gal syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/alpha-gal-syndrome/about/index.html

Higgins, L. (2026, June 2). This tick-borne disease is spreading fast on Cape Cod and the islands | cape cod health news. Cape Code Healthcare. https://www.capecodhealth.org/cape-cod-health-news/this-tick-borne-disease-is-spreading-fast-on-cape-cod-and-the-is/

Rex, K. (2025b, August 15). Meat, dairy allergies from tick bites “skyrocketing” on Martha’s vineyard, expert says. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/tick-allergy-meat-dairy-marthas-vineyard/