Nova Scotia woman develops rare tick-bite allergy after suspected bite
Alpha-gal syndrome from tick bites can trigger meat and dairy allergies See the Nova Scotia case, symptoms, and what doctors warn about now
A woman in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, says a tick bite has left her with alphagal syndrome, a rare allergy linked to lone star ticks that can cause reactions to meat and dairy.
Melissa Baines said she first noticed symptoms after working in her garden in McLellans Brook in May. She later found a tick attached to the bite site and began experiencing joint swelling, trouble walking, brain fog, and vomiting after drinking milk.
Doctors at the hospital suspected alphagal syndrome, and Baines now has to carry an EpiPen and avoid red meat and dairy. Public health officials in Nova Scotia say the condition is not currently reportable, but they are watching it as lone star ticks continue to spread in the province.