Spending time outdoors is part of life in Tennessee. Whether you’re hiking local trails, working in the yard, camping with family, or enjoying a summer weekend at the lake, warmer weather means more time outside.
Unfortunately, it also means tick season is in full swing.
While many people think of tick bites as nothing more than an annoying summer inconvenience, healthcare providers across Nashville and Middle Tennessee are paying closer attention to a growing health concern linked to one specific species: the Lone Star Tick.
This tiny insect has been connected to a condition called Alpha-gal Syndrome, a potentially life-changing allergy that is becoming increasingly common throughout Tennessee. Our walk-in clinics offer alpha-gal testing in Nashville & Hendersonville.
The Growing Problem with Tick Bites in Tennessee
Ticks thrive in the exact environments many Tennesseans spend time in during summer:
- Parks and walking trails
- Tall grass and wooded areas
- Farms and rural properties
- Sports fields and campgrounds
- Backyards with high deer activity
While Tennessee has several tick species, one has become particularly concerning: the Lone Star Tick.
Recognizable by the white spot on the back of adult females, the Lone Star Tick is aggressive, widespread throughout the Southeast, and unlike many other ticks, actively seeks out hosts rather than simply waiting on vegetation.
Beyond causing skin irritation, these ticks have increasingly been linked to a condition many people have never heard of — Alpha-gal Syndrome.
What Is Alpha-gal Syndrome?
Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is an allergic reaction that can develop after being bitten by a Lone Star Tick.
The tick introduces a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the body, which can cause the immune system to suddenly recognize certain mammal-based products as harmful.
As a result, people may develop allergic reactions to:
- Beef
- Pork
- Lamb
- Venison
- Dairy products
- Gelatin
- Certain medications derived from animal products
What makes Alpha-gal particularly unusual is that symptoms often don’t happen immediately.
Unlike traditional food allergies, reactions commonly begin several hours after eating red meat, making the condition difficult to recognize.
Symptoms of Alpha-gal Syndrome
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:
- Hives or skin rash
- Itching
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe stomach cramping
- Diarrhea
- Swelling of the lips or throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Anaphylaxis in severe cases
Because symptoms often happen hours later, many people never connect their reaction to a tick bite they experienced weeks earlier.
Why Cases Are Increasing in Nashville and Middle Tennessee
Healthcare providers across the Southeast are seeing a noticeable rise in Alpha-gal Syndrome diagnoses.
The reason is simple: the Lone Star Tick population is expanding rapidly, especially throughout states like Tennessee where warm temperatures and deer populations create ideal breeding environments.
For residents in Nashville, Hendersonville, Gallatin, and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities, tick exposure has become more common than ever.
That means understanding the risks early matters.
What To Do After a Tick Bite
If you’ve recently been bitten by a tick:
Remove the Tick Properly
Use fine-tipped tweezers and pull upward steadily without twisting.
Clean the Area
Wash the bite thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Watch for Symptoms
Monitor for fever, rash, body aches, swelling, or unusual reactions after eating red meat.
Don’t Ignore Delayed Reactions
If you begin experiencing stomach pain, hives, or allergic symptoms hours after eating beef or pork, it could be related to Alpha-gal Syndrome.
We Can Test for Alpha-gal at Both Complete Health Partners Locations
One of the biggest challenges with Alpha-gal Syndrome is diagnosis.
Because symptoms can appear hours after eating certain foods, many patients spend weeks or months trying to understand what’s causing their reactions.
At Complete Health Partners, we can evaluate tick bites and perform Alpha-gal testing in Nashville & Hendersonville, helping patients get answers faster if symptoms begin after tick exposure.
Our providers can help determine whether further testing is needed and guide next steps if Alpha-gal Syndrome is suspected.
We offer care at both locations:
Whether you need immediate treatment for a tick bite or testing after developing concerning symptoms, our team can help.
How To Prevent Tick Bites This Summer
The best treatment is prevention.
Protect yourself by:
- Wearing long sleeves when hiking or working outdoors
- Using insect repellent with DEET
- Checking your skin after spending time outside
- Showering after outdoor activity
- Keeping grass trimmed around your home
- Avoiding tall grass and wooded brush when possible
Don’t Ignore a Tick Bite This Summer
A tick bite may seem harmless, but with the rapid rise of Alpha-gal Syndrome in Tennessee, even a small bite can lead to bigger health concerns.
If you’ve recently been bitten by a tick, developed unusual symptoms, or are concerned about Alpha-gal Syndrome, getting checked early can make all the difference.
At Complete Health Partners, we provide same-day evaluation for tick bites and Alpha-gal testing at both our West Nashville and Hendersonville clinics, so you can get answers quickly and protect your long-term health.
Walk in today or book online for fast, convenient care.
Nashville Area Urgent Care Clinics
Nashville West Urgent Care Clinic
6749 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209
629.203.7858
9am – 7pm, 7 days a week
Hendersonville Urgent Care Clinic
166 E Main Street, Hendersonville, TN 37075
615.991.2855
8am – 6pm, Monday-Saturday