Avoiding Alpha Gal Syndrome
You wake up with a bad case of hives and a stomachache. You also have a wicked tick bite. You remember that you had a burger at a barbecue last night. You could have alpha-gal syndrome.
Alpha-gal syndrome is not a disease but an allergic reaction some people experience when they consume red meat or dairy products after being bitten by a tick. The syndrome is named after a sugar molecule found in most mammals. Ticks can transfer this molecule, which they likely have picked up from an animal they fed on, to humans. Some experts are trying to figure out why this spurs a reaction in some people but not in others.
Symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome are hives or an itchy rash, nausea or vomiting, heartburn or indigestion, drop in blood pressure and dizziness or fainting. While some symptoms can be mild, in others it may trigger anaphylaxis, a severe life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical intervention. Anaphylaxis reactions could include trouble breathing, rapid or weak pulse, lightheadedness, inability to swallow and flushing (redness and warmth over the body). Only a shot of epinephrine can counteract this reaction.
According to some scientists, alpha-gal syndrome is associated with the lone star tick. The lone star tick is known to feast on deer, among other animals like cows and sheep.
Some doctors believe the allergy can wane with time, as long as there are no repeat bites. Repeat bites do seem to perpetuate the allergy.
While lone star ticks are said to be the cause of alpha-gal syndrome, you should not discount other ticks like the black-legged ticks, where some research indicates a link between these type of ticks and alpha-gal syndrome.
The difference between the two types of ticks is that the lone star tick will actually move towards a potential host while the black-legged tick will serve as an ambush hunter.
Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic reaction in which your immune system has created antibodies to counter act the invader. Foreign invaders are not uncommon and most are harmless. Some people are bitten and receive the alpha-gal molecules and never know it because their immune system doesn’t overreact.
Alpha-gal syndrome differs from other allergic reactions in that, unlike eating shellfish or peanuts, it takes several hours for your body to react to the allergen. The delay in reaction only makes things confusing in that you don’t readily associate the reaction to meat or dairy with the tick bite.
The best way to avoid alpha-gal syndrome is to avoid tick bites. Avoid areas where ticks are known to live and thrive like wooded brushy areas with long grass. If you do happen to be in those areas, dress accordingly by wearing long sleeves, hat and pants tucked into your socks. Use insect repellant. Check yourself after being exposed to these areas. Shower as soon as you get home because ticks are known to stay on skin for hours before attaching themselves. If you do happen to find a tick, use tweezers to remove it.
To diagnose alpha-gal syndrome, you need to take a blood test. You should be evaluated by an allergist to determine whether or not you have the allergy. There is no cure or treatment for alpha-gal other than avoiding the foods in question.
