Your Body Almanac

Kentucky

Alpha-gal tick country with radon pockets and muggy summers.

Kentucky is one of the states with the highest rates of alpha-gal antibodies, a sign of bites from lone star ticks. A quarter of its counties have high radon potential, and summers are hot and humid.

01

Ticks and alpha-gal syndrome

CDC names Kentucky among the five states with the highest rates of people testing positive for alpha-gal antibodies. Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy to red meat triggered by tick bites, mostly from lone star ticks, which also spread ehrlichiosis.

SourcesPress Kit — Understanding Lyme and Other Tickborne Diseases (CDC)About Alpha-gal Syndrome (CDC)
Check for ticksAs neededAfter time in grass or woods, check your whole body, shower within two hours and dry your clothes on high heat. Use insect repellentAs neededUse an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin when mosquitoes or ticks are around.
02

Radon

EPA places 30 of Kentucky's 120 counties in Zone 1, its highest radon-potential category, and most of the rest in Zone 2. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and high levels can turn up in any county.

SourcesEPA Map of Radon Zones and Supplemental Information (US EPA)Health Risk of Radon (US EPA)
Test your home for radonAs neededRadon is invisible and odorless, so a simple test is the only way to know your level. Fix it at 4 pCi/L or higher.
03

Humid summer heat

Muggy summer air slows sweat evaporation, so hot days strain your body more than the temperature suggests. The heat index is the number to watch.

SourcesHeat Index (National Weather Service)About Heat and Your Health (CDC)
Stay safe in the heatAs neededOn hot days, drink water often, take breaks in the shade and plan hard work for the cooler parts of the day. Rehydrate when you sweatAs neededDrink regularly during hot work or long workouts, and add electrolytes when you sweat for more than two hours.

When to see a professional

Hives, swelling, stomach pain or trouble breathing two to six hours after eating red meat is worth raising with a doctor. Trouble breathing is an emergency.