Researchers Link Covid-19, Tick Bites to 90,000 New U.S. Allergy Cases
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Sep 19
Researchers Link Covid-19, Tick Bites to 90,000 New U.S. Allergy Cases
1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Sep 19
Summary
A 2026 study found Covid-19 infection was tied to a significantly higher risk of later allergic rhinitis and asthma, while vaccination lowered that risk.
Researchers say viral illness, antibiotics, hormonal shifts and tick bites can all misdirect the immune system, causing it to treat harmless substances as threats.
More than 90,000 U.S. alpha-gal syndrome diagnoses were recorded from 2017 to 2022 as lone star ticks spread beyond the Southeast, triggering red-meat allergies after bites.
Pregnancy and menopause can also bring new or worsened allergy symptoms, though pregnancy rhinitis often fades after delivery rather than becoming permanent.
No surefire reversal exists yet, but scientists are testing immune-targeting drugs, vaccines and antibody treatments to prevent or retrain these late-onset allergic responses.