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Overview
Reactions are delayed.
Lone star ticks cause it.
When to get medical care
Call 911Trouble breathing or swelling.
Get care todayHives after red meat.
See a doctor soonNot usually urgent.
Causes
Caused by tick bites.
OwieClear has pages on 1 condition that can cause hives or belly pain hours after eating red meat. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy from tick bites)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
An allergy to red meat (beef, pork, lamb) that can start after certain tick bites, especially the lone star tick.
What you can do at home
- Avoid red meat.
Medicines
Antihistamines; epinephrine for severe.
At the doctor
Blood tests.
Questions you may be asked
- Foods
The exam
A physical exam.
Tests
- Alpha-gal test
Prevention
Prevent tick bites.
- Use repellent
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.