What is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

 

Alpha-gal syndrome is far more than an allergy to red meat. It is an allergy to mammal meats, byproducts, carrageenan and is triggered by a tick bite.

 

  • Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is actually an allergy to the carbohydrate molecule alpha-gal, which is found in most mammals. These mammals include most of the animals we use for food, such as cows, sheep, and pigs. Despite being present in most mammals, alpha-gal is not present in humans.

    Alpha-Gal Syndrome is triggered by a Lone Star tick bite, because the alpha-gal is often present in the tick saliva. Being bitten by a Lone Star tick can trigger a allergic reaction, because your body treats the alpha-gal like a foreign substance.

    Source: Alpha-Gal Syndrome Subcommittee Report to the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group

  • Alpha-Gal Syndrome has many symptoms characteristic of an allergic reaction. However, the reaction is often delayed and symptoms may not appear until six hours after exposure to mammal products. Common symptoms include:

    • Hives, itching, or itchy, scaly skin (eczema)

    • Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other body parts

    • Wheezing or shortness of breath

    • A runny nose

    • Stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

    • Sneezing

    • Headaches

    • A severe, potentially deadly allergic reaction that restricts breathing (anaphylaxis)

    Source: Mayo Clinic

  • Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alpha-Gal. The only way to avoid allergic reactions is to avoid mammal products, which means completely changing your diet.

    For some people, Alpha-Gal Syndrome never goes away. For others, the allergic reactions start to dissipate after a few years of avoiding all mammal and they have no additional tick bites. Still others choose to seek out SAAT (Soliman’s Auricular Allergy Treatment) that can minimize reactions or put the Alpha Gal in remission.