Ticks Are Exploding This Year: The Hidden Disease That Can Make You Allergic to Meat

From RV Podcast - Stories From The Road by Mike Wendland

June 17, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the dangers of ticks and Alpha-Gal Syndrome through the personal story of Fred Church.

Ticks are having a banner year across much of North America, and that has outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, campers, and RVers paying close attention. Most people know about Lyme disease. But far fewer have heard of Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a tick-borne condition that can suddenly make you allergic to red meat and trigger severe, even life-threatening allergic reactions. In this episode of the RV Podcast, we revisit one of the most important health interviews we've ever done. RVer Fred Church shares the remarkable story of how a single tick bite changed his life forever. What started as what seemed like food poisoning after eating a hamburger soon turned into a frightening medical mystery involving swelling, vomiting, intense itching, and a diagnosis that left him unable to eat many of the foods he had enjoyed his entire life. Fred explains how Alpha-Gal Syndrome develops, the symptoms he experienced, how he was diagnosed, and the precautions he and his wife Kathy now take whenever they head outdoors. The timing of this conversation couldn't be better. Earlier this summer, Mike had a tick embedded in his face that required a dermatologist to make an incision and use two stitches to remove…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Wendland

Guest: Fred Church

Topics covered

ticks
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
health
outdoor safety
allergies
personal stories

Keywords

ticks
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
allergy
red meat
Lyme disease
outdoor safety
health risks

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Alpha-Gal Syndrome, Lyme disease