Alpha-gal syndrome, a potentially life-changing allergy triggered by tick bites, is drawing growing concern in Illinois as the ticks linked to the condition spread north.
The disease can cause hives, itching, stomach pain and vomiting, and in severe cases, life-threatening allergic reactions after ingesting red meat or other mammalian products like gelatin.
Becky Smith, professor of epidemiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said more cases are being diagnosed as awareness improves and a growing lone star tick population could also mean more people are at risk…