Aug. 24, 2023 | A study released in July found that as many as 450,000 Americans have developed an allergy to red meat as a result of tick bites since 2010, making it the 10th most common food allergy in the U.S. The allergy, alpha-gal syndrome, occurs when an infected person eats beef, pork or other meat from mammals, or ingests milk, gelatin or other mammal products. It’s not caused by a germ but by a sugar, alpha-gal, that is in meat from mammals and in tick spit. When the sugar enters the body through the skin, it triggers an immune response and can lead to a severe allergic reaction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study was a survey last year of 1,500 U.S. doctors and health professionals. The survey found nearly half of them had never heard of alpha-gal syndrome, and only five percent said they felt very confident they could diagnose it. Researchers used that information to estimate the number of people with the allergy, 450,000.

Aug. 24, 2023 | Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic reaction that may arise after someone is bitten by a Lone Star tick. Named for the white dot on the back of adult females, the ticks may be brought into the home on pets. Scientists speculate that these ticks transmit the alpha-gal molecule from mammals they’ve fed on to people they bite. In some people, this triggers an immune system reaction that later produces mild to severe allergic reactions to red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb, or other mammal products. Alpha-gal is not found in fish, reptiles, birds, or people. The Lone Star tick is found predominantly in the southeastern U.S. where most cases of alpha-gal syndrome occur. However, the condition appears to be spreading farther north and west, as deer that carry the Lone Star tick move to new parts of the country. Alpha-gal syndrome also has been diagnosed in Europe, Australia and Asia, where other types of ticks carry alpha-gal molecules.

Aug. 24, 2023 | Alpha-gal syndrome was originally identified in a patient who had an allergic reaction to a cancer drug. It was determined that the patient was sensitized to alpha-gal, and the cancer medication was produced in a mammal that placed galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose on the surface of the biologic. Those that were previously sensitized to alpha-gal could have an allergic reaction to this medication. After a closer look, scientists discovered that the rates for anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, to this medication were much higher in the southeastern U.S. Around this same time, a group in Virginia, had identified a cohort of hunters who were found to have an allergy to red meat that caused “delayed anaphylaxis,” a reaction that occurred two to six hours after eating red meat. These subjects were also found to have allergic antibodies to alpha-gal. This was the first identified cohort of patients with allergy to alpha-gal and “delayed anaphylaxis” to red meat.

Aug. 24, 2023 | Alpha-gal syndrome, or AGS, should be treated and managed under the care of an allergist or other health care provider. Many foods and products contain the sugar molecule alpha-gal, according to Dr. Joshua Kennedy of the UAMS Allergy and Immunology Clinic, who says it’s important to work with your physician to get a good understanding on what products you need to avoid. Most health-care providers recommend patients with AGS stop eating mammalian meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, or venison. Depending on the patient’s sensitivity and the severity of their allergic reaction, it may be recommended that they also avoid other foods and ingredients which may contain alpha-gal, such as cow’s milk and other dairy products. Dr. Kennedy says that because AGS can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, it’s a good idea for patients with the condition to always carry an epinephrine injector with them.

Aug. 24, 2023 | The best way to prevent alpha-gal syndrome is to avoid any areas where ticks live, especially wooded, bushy areas with long grass. When in wooded or grassy areas, wear shoes, long pants tucked into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and gloves. Try to stick to trails and avoid walking through low bushes and long grass. If you use an insect repellent on your skin, it should have a 20 percent or higher concentration of DEET. Parents should apply repellent to their children, avoiding their hands, eyes and mouths. Keep in mind that chemical repellents can be toxic, so be sure to follow the directions carefully. It’s a good idea to try to tick-proof your yard. Clear brush and leaves where ticks live and keep woodpiles in sunny areas. It’s also helpful to shower as soon as you come indoors. Ticks often remain on your skin for hours before attaching themselves. Showering and using a washcloth might remove any unattached ticks.