What is alpha-gal syndrome? What to know about the disease that makes you allergic to meat

Recently, I wrote a column on tick bites and Lyme disease. In response, I heard from folks all over the country, alerting me to the impact of another growing and scary problem associated with tick bites called alpha-gal syndrome.

Here is one of the notes I received:

“I read your article on Lyme disease and was hoping you’d follow up with one on alpha-gal syndrome. My husband contracted alpha-gal from a tick bite a little over a year ago. This means he has an allergic reaction to foods that come from mammals, including dairy products or gelatins. He has to be very careful, especially when eating out. For example, if he orders a salad, he has to be sure there are no bacon bits. This problem is not as uncommon as we had thought as we keep hearing of more and more people coming down with this disease and some have a severe allergic reaction and die from it.

Thankfully, our local hospital (we live in southern Indiana) ran the tick panel and discovered it. We both were bitten by the Lone Star tick and believe that’s where he contracted it. I hope you can spread a word of caution."

What is alpha-gal syndrome?

Alpha-gal syndrome is a type of food allergy in which you suddenly are allergic to red meat and food products from mammals, including dairy. Lately, this has hit the national radar screen due to the proliferation of the Lone Star tick, a carrier of the disease. Like Lyme disease from deer ticks, it seems that deer also carry the Lone Star tick and are spreading it from the southeastern US to areas further north and west.

Medical experts believe certain ticks carry alpha-gal molecules they ingest from the blood of animals like the cows and sheep they bite. Then the tick transfers these molecules when they bite humans.

Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic reaction which means your immune system has detected an allergen (a foreign invader such as alpha-gal molecules) and it reacts by creating antibodies to battle the invader. Foreign invaders are not uncommon, and most are harmless. Some folks can be bitten and receive alpha-gal molecules and never know it because their immune system does not overreact.

However, in others, an overreaction of the immune system can occur and vary greatly in severity. This is called an “anaphylactic” response and it can constrict the airway causing difficulty breathing. Or worse, in the most severe cases, there can be swelling of the throat blocking the airway completely.

What are the symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome?

A problem with identifying alpha-gal syndrome is the delayed reaction compared with other food allergies. The reaction to a shellfish or peanut allergy happens quickly, whereas symptoms of alpha-gal may not appear for several hours. This delay is confusing, and you wouldn’t necessarily associate the slab of red meat you had for dinner with symptoms that occur much later.

If there is an anaphylactic response, in addition to trouble breathing, you may have symptoms that include a rapid and weak pulse, lightheadedness, inability to swallow, or flushing (redness and warmth all over the body). In such severe cases, it’s possible you may need treatment in a hospital emergency room and require a shot of epinephrine (adrenaline), medicine to counteract the anaphylactic reaction.

The main thing to keep in mind is that there appears to be no treatment for getting rid of alpha-gal Syndrome, other than not eating foods from mammals. What’s more, it is unknown why some people have a serious reaction to alpha-gal while others don’t. In the note above, the wife indicates that both she and her husband experienced bites from the Lone Star tick, but she was unaffected while he has a serious problem. This suggests that we all need to be more careful when it comes to exposure to ticks because you cannot predict how you might respond to a tick bite.

How to reduce your risk of alpha-gal syndrome

Let me repeat some advice about how best to avoid tick problems, and applying common sense is a good place to start. Avoid areas where ticks are known to live and thrive, like wooded and bushy areas with long grass. Be aware that the presence of ticks may not be obvious. I recall seeing a documentary in which the guide was hiking on a trail through the woods with no trouble in sight. Then the guide took out a large sheet of white paper and stepped off the trail, shook a bush and dozens of ticks fell out onto the paper.

It’s not always possible to be totally prepared, but if you know you may be venturing into tick-invested areas, cover up with a long sleeve shirt, hat, and gloves. Wear shoes and socks and long pants tucked into your socks. In addition, use a strong insect repellent and apply it to your clothing. Hunters I know swear by Deep Woods Off spray, but there are several good options.

If you are potentially exposed to ticks, check yourself and pets carefully. Shower immediately when you get home because ticks often stay on your skin for hours before attaching themselves. If you find a tick, use tweezers to grasp the tick near its head and mouth. Don’t squeeze the tick. Pull carefully with a steady grip.

Since ticks can be anywhere, do your best to tick-proof your yard. Keep the lawn mowed and rid it of brush and leaves and stack wood where it will get lots of sun to stay dry. Create a tick buffer zone around your lawn. Wood chips or gravel are helpful, as are plants like garlic, sage, mint, lavender, beautyberry, rosemary, and marigolds.

Reach Bryant Stamford, a professor of kinesiology and integrative physiology at Hanover College, at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What is alpha-gal syndrome? How to treat bites from the Lone Star tick