06/03/2026
MAYHEW’S MEDICAL ALERT
Connecticut’s tick population is expanding faster than a suburban ranch house with an “open concept” renovation. Alongside the blacklegged ticks linked to Lyme Disease, the aggressive Lone Star Tick is now showing up more frequently across the state. And this one brings a particularly nasty party favor: Alpha-gal Syndrome.
Alpha-gal Syndrome can trigger an allergic reaction to red meat and even dairy products after a tick bite. Imagine developing an allergy to cheeseburgers because of something the size of a poppy seed hiding in your sock. Symptoms can range from hives and stomach distress to severe allergic reactions hours after eating beef, pork, lamb, or dairy.
If you’re hiking, gardening, walking the dog, or just pretending to enjoy yard work, take precautions: use tick repellent, wear light-colored clothing, do tick checks religiously, and shower after being outdoors. Connecticut’s woods and fields remain beautiful. They’re just becoming slightly more audition-tape-for-a-medical-drama than usual.