"For those lucky few who have had their (IgE) levels fall, we try a meat challenge to 'clear' them to consume mammalian meat."

Yet be warned, additional bites could once again lead to anaphylactic shock. And to some, the meat challenge just doesn't seem worth it.

"I don't want to risk it," Olive said. "We have six acres and some of it is woods. Ticks are really unavoidable."