Ree Drummond says her family is still processing the diagnosis that changed her son-in-law Mauricio Scott’s eating habits almost overnight. Scott, who is married to Drummond’s oldest daughter Alex, was diagnosed with Alpha-Gal Syndrome after a tick bite.
The Pioneer Woman star explained the condition in a post on her Pioneer Woman website and described how quickly the problem became impossible to ignore. According to Drummond, Scott first noticed severe stomach pain after eating a burger for lunch, then had the same reaction after steak tacos and brisket.
What Alpha-Gal Syndrome Means
Alpha-Gal Syndrome is an allergy that can develop after a tick bite, and Drummond said she had heard about it before but never expected it to affect someone in her own family. The tick involved was described as a lone star tick, which has a white dot on its back.
Drummond said the diagnosis was especially upsetting because Scott loves the very foods he now has to avoid. She noted that red meat is the main issue, including ribs, steaks, burgers, tacos, and pork-based foods such as bacon, pork ribs, and carnitas.
A Family Reaction Full Of Shock
The diagnosis came after Scott removed a tick from his body on the Drummond ranch, returned to work, and began noticing the painful reactions after meals. After a friend pointed out that red meat might be the trigger, he avoided it for a few days and felt better before a medical test confirmed the condition.
Drummond said the family reacted with shock and frustration when the diagnosis became clear. In her words, there were “a lot of ‘NO WAYs’ and a few four-letter words of disbelief” as everyone realized how much Scott would have to give up.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome reactions can range from stomach pain to hives to severe anaphylaxis, so the condition is considered serious. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the allergy can improve or fully resolve for many people within 1 to 5 years if they avoid further tick bites and stick to the necessary triggers.
For now, Scott’s case has become a reminder of how a common tick encounter can lead to major food restrictions. Drummond said her family was “so bummed for him,” and the diagnosis has left them adjusting to a new reality centered on caution and diet changes.