Alpha-gal syndrome is more common in our ticks in this area than you'd think. Know two people that got it from tick bites. Literally can't eat red meat if you get it.
It's kinda like an independent version of Cabelas that's all about hunting/fishing/firearms etc. The owner got bit by a tick while hunting in Texas and has that. I was talking to someone who knew him well and it sounds awful, some of the things remind me of what we deal with on Mrs. with gluten and being celiac. Little things you don't think about like did the kitchen at a restaurant use an ingredient that contains gluten or did the chef use a knife to cut bread and then cut vegetables for the gluten-free dish. Same thing with red meat products for the alpha-gal...and it extends to milk, cheese, gelatin, etc. for the AGS sufferer. It changes how you clean the kitchen, what utensils you use to prepare food, and makes eating out in restaurants a nightmare. The info for gluten has become pretty normal in restaurants over the years, but I couldn't imagine trying to eat out with AGS.
A hot match can make the tick empty whatever it's been drinking right back into you when it gets burned, furthering your chance of catching something if it has it.
also, doc said head being in there is a superstition that it's bad, wrt tick borne illnesses. just regular old infection problems as if you had a splinter.
he used to work ER in the northeast, so is pretty experienced w/ treating tick bites. lucky to be able to just call him, send tick pics (nomsayin), etc.
I've done all I can do at this point. dousing it w/ rubbing alcohol too
the tick's breathing path and he will let go. It works. Acetone and lacquer thinner will get him drunk and he'll want to find another tick to 'dance with,' so they work too.
I haven't tried beer or whiskey cause I share my beer and whiskey with no one and nothing.