![]() Interestingly, allergic reactions may occur to red meat, to subsequent tick bites, and even to medications that contain alpha-gal. People that are bitten by the tick, especially those that are bitten repeatedly, are at risk of becoming sensitized and producing the IgE necessary to then cause allergic reactions. As with other food allergies, there is the possibility that over time the sensitivity diminishes – although these changes may take many years to become apparent.Īlpha-gal is a molecule carried in the saliva of the Lone Star tick and other potential arthropods typically after feeding on mammalian blood. These measures do not necessarily mean switching to a full vegetarian diet, since poultry and fish can be consumed and do not cause similar reactions. You may be advised to carry an epinephrine auto-injector, to be used in case of subsequent accidental exposures and reaction. Prevention long-term involves avoidance of all red meat in sensitized individuals. ![]() Immediate symptoms such as hives or shortness of breath are treated the same as any other food allergy - in an urgent care setting with anti-histamines, epinephrine and other medications. An investigational blood test, IgE against alpha-gal itself, may also aid in the diagnosis. Your allergist may recommend testing that includes skin tests to the relevant animal proteins and blood tests which measure the levels of a specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, to mammalian meats. In very rare cases the reaction may extend to milk or dairy proteins and gelatin. It may occur after eating hotdogs and hamburgers. Triggers include any red meat – including beef, pork, lamb or even horse products. Because the onset is usually quite delayed, it can be hard to associate the symptoms with eating red meat many hours previously. The most severe reaction, anaphylaxis, can present as a combination of several of these symptoms, may include low blood pressure, and is potentially fatal.īecause these symptoms are delayed, you may only wake up with them in the middle of the night after an evening meal.ĭiagnosis of this allergy starts with your allergist taking an appropriate history and physical examination. ![]() Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting.What are the symptoms of an alpha-gal allergy?Īs with other food allergies, signs or symptoms of an allergy to alpha-gal may include: ![]() Most food allergies are directed against a protein molecule, but alpha-gal is unusual because it is a carbohydrate, and a delay in its absorption may explain the delay in symptoms. Unlike other food allergies which typically occur within minutes of ingestion, symptoms from eating red meat such as pork, lamb or beef may be delayed, occurring 3-8 hours after eating. An allergy to “alpha-gal” refers to having a severe and potentially life-threatening allergy to a carbohydrate molecule called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose that is found in most mammalian or “red meat”. ![]()
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