It’s tick season in Missouri, and health care providers are once again reminding people to be mindful of a growing tick-borne illness called Alpha Gal Syndrome. State health leaders say more than 34,000 cases have been reported since 2021.
Alpha gal is transmitted by the Lone Star tick, which is common in the state of Missouri. The illness can trigger allergies to beef, pork, lamb and occasionally eggs and dairy. Many people can have the allergy for years.
Since cases have been on the rise in Missouri, University Health in Kansas City has opened a nurse hotline for the public to call if they have questions about the allergy. The hospital says the goal is to get people to the appropriate testing, providers and treatment.
University Health Nurse Practitioner Wes Stouts reminds Missourians to check for ticks after walking in tall grassy areas and/or woods. He says check places where ticks hide, such as in hair, behind ears, on the waistband or behind knees.
He says you may be able to simply brush off the tick, but if it’s bitten you, it should be carefully removed with teasers, using steady pressure. Stouts says tick bite prevention is key, suggesting wearing long sleeves and tucking pant legs into socks and using bug spray containing DEET.
According to Stouts, patients suffering a severe allergic reaction can be given an epinephrine pen. He notes some off-label meds can reduce symptoms of an allergic reaction as well.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has additional information about Alpha Gal Syndrome.
University Health’s hotline number for people to call with Alpha Gal questions is 1-816-339-TICK.
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