Lone star tick bites can cause alpha-gal syndrome, a food allergy to red meat that comes from mammals. Such meat includes beef, pork, lamb, and other animal flesh products.
Exposure to alpha-gal, a sugar molecule found in tick saliva, triggers this allergy, according to 2021 research.
Many products contain alpha-gal. Some people with alpha-gal syndrome may also be sensitive to cow’s milk, gelatin, or collagen.