Alpha-Gal Syndrome & Travel: Know Before You Go
How to Protect Yourself from Tick-Borne Meat Allergies on Your Next Trip
You’ve booked the flights. Packed your bags. Dreamed about the food.
But if your next trip takes you to certain parts of the U.S., there’s one unexpected danger you should know about before you go: Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS).
This serious allergic condition is caused by a bite from the lone star tick, and it can trigger a lifelong allergy to mammalian meat and products. That means beef, pork, lamb, dairy, and even hidden ingredients like gelatin could suddenly be off your menu… forever.
Where the Risk Is Highest
The lone star tick’s territory has been expanding, and so has the number of Alpha-Gal cases. High-risk regions include:
- Midwest & Southern U.S. – Especially rural, wooded, or grassy areas
- Eastern Seaboard hotspots – Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Long Island
- Expanding zones – More cases are being reported in parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
If you’re traveling from a low-tick region (think desert or mountain areas) to these destinations, you may not be as prepared for tick prevention as locals are.
How to Protect Yourself While Traveling
Even one tick bite can change your life. The good news? Prevention is simple:
- Pack Protective Clothing – Long sleeves, pants, and light colors to help spot ticks.
- Use Tick Repellent – EPA-registered options with DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil.
- Treat Gear Before You Go – Permethrin-treated shoes and clothing provide extra protection.
- Stay on Marked Trails – Avoid tall grass, brush, and leaf litter where ticks thrive.
- Do Daily Tick Checks – Pay attention to hidden areas like behind knees, along the hairline, and underi arms.
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Shower Within 2 Hours of Being Outdoors – This can help wash away ticks before they
Why This Matters
Alpha-Gal Syndrome isn’t just another tick-borne illness—it’s a major life change:
- There’s no cure.
- The allergy can be triggered hours after eating, making it harder to link to the cause.
- It can be severe enough to cause anaphylaxis.
The easiest way to avoid AGS is to avoid the tick bite in the first place.
Travel Smart, Stay Safe
Your trip should be about memories, not medical emergencies.
Before you set off for your next adventure, take a few extra minutes to pack and prepare for tick safety—especially if you’re heading into known AGS regions.
Share this post with your friends and family traveling to high-risk areas. Prevention takes minutes. Living with Alpha-Gal lasts a lifetime.
About Fyrn
Fyrn is committed to creating safe, mammal-free skincare for everyone, especially those living with Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Learn more about our products and our mission at www.fyrnfix.com.