This syndrome is a type of food allergy in which people are allergic to red meat and other products made from mammals. However, in the U.S., people may get this condition from a tick bite. It is called the Lone Star tick, and it transfers a sugar molecule known as alpha-gal into the body. After the bite, the body may trigger a reaction due to the immune system.
When the condition occurs, you may experience mild to severe allergic reactions to red meat, including beef, pork, or lamb. However, you may experience the same allergic reactions due to other products, including dairy products, gelatin, and others.
Primarily, the tick that causes the disease is found in the southeastern United States. Most diagnosed Alpha-gal syndromes are in the south, east, and central U.S. However, this disease tends to spread farther north and west because certain animals (such as deer) carry these ticks. Furthermore, there are other ticks that carry alpha-gal molecules in other parts of the world. These include certain parts of Europe, Australia, Asia, and South Africa.
While some people may have this condition and do not know about it, others may develop severe allergic reactions (such as anaphylactic reactions without obvious reasons). Some tests done to check for food allergies may also indicate Alpha-gal syndrome.
Unfortunately, the only treatment for people with Alpha-gal syndrome is to avoid red meat and other products that trigger the symptoms. People with severe allergic reactions usually need an Epinephrine (a synthetic form of Adrenaline) shot and treatment at the emergency room. That’s why you should avoid tick bites by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you are in grassy or wooded areas. You can also use bug sprays.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this syndrome often appear later compared to those of food allergies. For example, people with food allergies usually experience symptoms within several minutes after eating foods that trigger them. In people with Alpha-gal syndrome, symptoms appear within 6 hours. Check below some foods that may trigger an allergic reaction:
- Organ meats
- Red meat (including pork, lamb, or beef)
- Certain products made from mammals (such as gelatins, dairy products, and others)
When the symptoms occur, they include the following ones. For example:
- Scaly and itchy skin
- Hives
- Swelling of the tongue, throat, lips, face, and other parts of the body (sometimes)
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
One way to understand a person has Alpha-gal syndrome is the delayed time between eating and the development of an allergic reaction. Experts do not fully understand why in people with Alpha-gal syndrome this delayed reaction occurs. However, they think it happens due to alpha-gal molecules that are digested more slowly.
It is recommended to contact your doctor if you experience any of the previous symptoms within a few hours after eating.
You should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 in the U.S. if you experience the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Breathing problems
- Fast or slow heart rate
- Difficulty swallowing
- Flushing
Causes
In most cases, people develop this syndrome due to Lone Star tick bites. However, there are other ticks that may also cause Alpha-gal syndrome. Other ticks can be found in certain parts of Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, and South and Central America.
Tick Bites
Healthcare providers think that Lone Star ticks carry the alpha-gal molecule that comes from animals they often bite (such as cows, sheep, and others). After a tick gets this molecule and bites a human, it sends the molecule to the person’s body.
Nowadays, experts do not understand why some people have a strong immune system response to these molecules. However, the immune system begins to produce antibodies that target alpha-gal molecules as something that should be cleared. The immunity response is so much stronger when people eat red meat, which is why people with Alpha-gal syndrome cannot eat this meat.
Cetuximab
Those who have antibodies due to Alpha-gal syndrome may also develop allergic reactions to Cetuximab (a medicine used to treat cancer).
Risk Factors
Physicians do not understand why some people get this syndrome while others do not. It often occurs in the south, east, and central U.S. You are at increased risk of developing this syndrome if you spend a lot of time outdoors or have gotten multiple bites from a Lone Star tick.
Previously, this tick has been found in large amounts in the northern U.S. as well as central Texas and Oklahoma.
What Happens if Alpha-gal Syndrome is Left Untreated?
Some people with this syndrome may develop a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Without treatment, this complication may lead to death. People with anaphylaxis need a shot of Epinephrine (a synthetic form of Adrenaline). That’s why you should have an auto-injector with Epinephrine if you have Alpha-gal syndrome. After you administer this injection, you should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 in the U.S. Check below for some anaphylaxis symptoms:
- Fast heart rate
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- An extreme drop in blood pressure (also known as shock)
- Swelling in the throat that makes it difficult to breathe
- Narrowing of the airways
Sometimes, doctors suspect Alpha-gal syndrome if a person experiences anaphylaxis frequently without an obvious reason.
How to Prevent Alpha-gal Syndrome?
The most effective way to prevent this condition is to avoid regions where these ticks live. These include wooded areas with bushy areas with long grass, and others. Furthermore, the following tips may also help reduce the risk of this syndrome. Examples include:
- Protective clothing – You should wear shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and gloves when you are in wooded or grassy regions.
- Bug spray – You can also apply an insect repellent with a 20% concentration of DEET to the skin.
- Regularly clear brush and leaves where ticks may live.
- After spending time in wooded or grassy areas, you should check yourself, your children, and your pets for these ticks.
Diagnosis
Physicians usually diagnose this condition based on your medical history and some tests. They may also ask some questions about your symptoms and when they appeared. Check below some tests often used to confirm the condition and rule out others that cause similar symptoms:
- Blood tests – These tests are done to check for the amount of antibodies in the bloodstream. It is one of the key tests for Alpha-gal syndrome.
- Skin tests – During this test, doctors will prick the skin with small amounts of fresh red meat to see if you develop an allergic reaction.
Treatment
Usually, treatment begins with the avoidance of the foods that cause the allergic reaction. Therefore, it is advised to check the labels on store-bought foods to make sure they do not have meat-based ingredients. For example:
- Pork
- Lamb
- Organ meats
- Beef
- Gelatins
To treat a serious allergic reaction, people need a shot of Epinephrine. Thereafter, you should get treatment at the emergency room. In most cases, the symptoms of this syndrome are milder or disappear over time. Sometimes, you may begin to eat mammal food products after 1-2 years if you do not get any more of these tick bites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I eat red meat anymore?
People with this type of food allergy may develop a serious allergic reaction to red meat. However, some people can eat red meat again after 1-2 years if they do not get more of these tick bites.
What foods trigger alpha-gal?
People usually get a reaction due to mammals, such as beef, pork, and lamb. Some people may develop an allergic reaction to non-food products.
Is alpha-gal fatal?
This is a life-threatening allergic condition that often happens after a tick bite. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
