17. Case Study: Maine Woman’s Ordeal
A recent case from Maine illustrates the expanding risk of alpha-gal syndrome. A woman developed severe allergic reactions—including hives, stomach pain, and difficulty breathing—shortly after a black-legged tick bite. Doctors confirmed her new red meat allergy, linking it directly to the tick exposure. Her ordeal highlights how individuals in northern states, once considered low-risk, can now face life-altering consequences from tick bites.