Can I Get Ags From A Tick Bite
- Growing evidence suggests that AGS may be triggered by the bite of a lone star tick in the United States, but other kinds of ticks have not been ruled out. Other tick species have been connected with the development of AGS in other countries.
- More research is needed to understand the role ticks play in starting this reaction, and why certain people develop AGS.
What Areas Of The Us Are Affected By Alpha
The incidence of tick bites is much higher in the southern and eastern US, the traditional habitat for the tick. However, cases are now increasingly reported in the northern and western states. And it is a phenomenon that has been observed worldwide, with different ticks responsible for similar cases of red meat allergy in many other countries such as Sweden, South Africa and Australia.
Ags Reactions Can Include:
- Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- Drop in blood pressure
- Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eye lids
- Dizziness or faintness
- Severe stomach pain
Symptoms usually appear 26 hours after eating meat or dairy products, or after exposure to products containing alpha-gal . People may not have an allergic reaction after every alpha-gal exposure.
If you think you may have AGS see your healthcare provider.
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Is There A Treatment For Alpha
Avoidance is the only option for patients with an alpha-gal allergy. There is no cure. It will be important to check ingredients of foods that may contain meat-based ingredients to avoid them. In case of accidental ingestion, we will prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector to use if the patient develops symptoms of anaphylaxis.
How Can I Prevent Developing An Alpha
The main way to prevent this allergy is avoid tick bites. The CDC recommends using insect repellant, as well as wearing long sleeves and pants while outdoors in bushy or wooded areas. After returning indoors, it is important to check clothing and body for ticks. In this region, tick season often begins in March/April and lasts until temperatures drop below freezing.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above and have been bitten by a tick then it may be time to see an allergist. Visit our locations page to find an office near you.
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What Causes An Alpha
In the United States, this allergy has been primarily connected to the lone star tick. However, cases of alpha-gal has been found all over the world where other types of ticks, meaning the type of tick may not be a factor. When bitten the tick transfers the alpha-gal sugar to the persons bloodstream, which lead to sensitization to alpha-gal in that person.
What Causes Alpha Gal
As stated above, tick bites are responsible for this syndrome. Ticks first bite another host such as a deer, infecting their blood with bacteria which they transmit to other hosts, such as humans. During feeding, ticks inject a protein from their saliva into their victims blood to prevent it from coagulating. This enables them to feed easily. The salivary protein contains enzymes which causes the human immune system to attack itself. Human body reacts by breaking out into an itchy rash. The immune system reacts differently in different people causing shortness of breath in some. This allergic reaction is due to alpha gal molecules. Humans and apes do not make alpha gal but it is naturally present in beef, bacon, venison etc. The human immune system is designed to attack alpha gal the moment it sees it. It sends immunoglobulin E antibodies to attack the alpha gal molecules causing various symptoms.
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What It’s Like To Have Alpha
Most people with alpha-gal syndrome experience an allergic reaction about three to six hours after eating red meat. Symptoms vary but can include itchy skin, runny nose, and vomiting and diarrhea. Some people can experience a full-blown anaphylactic reaction, which can include a dangerous drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and difficulty breathing.
“Severe reactions are rare, but I’ve had a number of patients who’ve had close calls and needed an ambulance, and had IV lines placed before they got to the hospital,” says Dr. McGintee. Fortunately, she says, there have been no reported cases of fatalities due to alpha-gal syndrome.
Anderson says her experience with alpha-gal syndrome has changed her life, in several ways. “I don’t eat red meat for health reasons, so that part has been easy,” she says. “But now I also have to make sure my salmon or fish isn’t cooked in a pan that steak is being cooked in, or that a food isn’t made with some type of mammal-meat broth.”
And since Anderson is part of the small percentage of people with alpha-gal syndrome who also react to dairy products, those are off-limits as well. “No butter, no cheese, no ice cream, and that’s been really hard because I just love dairy too much,” she says.
How Long Do You Have Alpha
It appears in many patients to be transient. They may have 18-24 months without red meat, and then we begin to follow their blood test levelwhich is another reason to have the blood test doneit typically trends down over time.
Is alpha-gal considered an autoimmune disease?
The allergy component of AGS is only one dimension of a complex immune response that may have other health implications . Conditions tentatively linked to the alpha-gal immune response include some autoimmune diseases , arthritis , and atherosclerosis .
Does alpha-gal weaken your immune system?
The bite transmits a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the persons body. 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.
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Is There A Cure For Alpha
- Currently, there is no cure or treatment for alpha-gal syndrome.
- People with AGS need to avoid foods and other products that contain alpha-gal in order to prevent allergic reactions.
- Exactly which foods and products you need to avoid depends on your individual tolerance level.
- Since additional tick bites can make AGS allergic reactions worse, avoiding the ticks that can trigger AGS, like the Lone Star Tick, may help keep your reactions from getting worse.
- If you avoid additional tick bites, with time, your reactions may become less severe or even go into remission, but there is no guarantee of this.
Clearing Up Misconceptions About Alpha
Falk: There are abundant comments on the Internet about meat allergy. There are all sorts of funny and perhaps misleading comments: Its only one kind of tickIts only the lone star tickThere are some sources of red meat that are safer than othersIts always an anaphylactic reaction. Help us dispel some of what is out there.
Commins: We are probably guilty of advancing this idea that lone star ticks were the only cause.
Falk: Are you the culprit?
Commins: I probably share some blame in this. So, initially that was because we were describing this in the southeast, and it really fit with the distribution of the lone star tick. I do maintain that in the south and in the eastLong Island, for instance as wellI think most of these allergic responses are due to the lone star tick. That doesnt account for problems people are having in Australia, people we know about in southern Sweden, in Europe where they have this same allergy but they dont have the lone star tick. So, one of the myths as you described, is that lone star ticks are the only cause, and thats clearly not true.
Falk: Those reactions can be severe enough that it wouldnt be worth that experiment.
Commins: Not in my mind.
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Is It A Lifelong Allergy
While there is not option to treat this allergy with immunotherapy, it may go away if the patient avoids red meat. Our physicians can monitor the IgE blood test levels and help patients determine if it is possible to reintroduce red meat safely. However, many patients live with this allergy for years.
Omalizumab May Help Treat Red Meat Allergy Caused By Tick Bites
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Omalizumab may effectively treat food allergy symptoms in patients with alpha-gal syndrome, according to research from a small study that was to be presented at the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Annual Meeting.
The meeting was canceled because of concerns about COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy to red meat and other mammalian products that develops after an individual is bitten by certain ticks. Scott P. Commins, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, explained that some patients can remain symptomatic even when adhering to an avoidance diet. He conducted a study to determine whether omalizumab could improve symptoms in these patients.
Xolair is an anti-IgE antibody FDA-approved for moderate to severe persistent asthma and chronic idiopathic urticaria, Commins told Healio Primary Care. In our experience, Xolair is well-tolerated by patients with alpha-gal allergy who meet the approved indications.
Patients with alpha-gal syndrome who were included in the study received 300 mg of omalizumab every 4 weeks. An urticaria activity score that was summed for 7 days was used to assess participants itch severity and hive count once daily before taking omalizumab, and again at 4 and 12 weeks after receiving omalizumab therapy.
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What Should I Do If I Have Ags
- AGS should be treated and managed under the care of an allergist or other healthcare provider.
- Many foods and products contain alpha-gal you will need to work with your healthcare provider to understand which products you need to avoid.
- Prevent tick bites. New tick bites may reactivate allergic reactions to alpha-gal.
Delayed Allergic Reaction To Red Meat
Why does a person with alpha-gal allergy experience a reaction several hours after eating red meat, instead of like a peanut allergy which can happen immediately?
Theres two main answers to thatthe first of which is that alpha-gal is a sugar. So much of what we know about allergies in general center on proteins. Part of this, is that we believe that the response to the sugar is in some ways a weaker response than we might see for proteins. Secondly, the most severe reactions tend to happen with fattier forms of meat. The digestion of fat is very different from the way that sugars or proteins are absorbed. The digestion of fat is a process that takes three to hours to deliver fat to the bloodstream.
Typically, allergic reactions to mammalian meat occurs 2-6 hoursafter ingesting the meats, and can be severe. Whats interesting, is that these allergic reactions to mammalian meat dont typically occur until 1 to 3 months after being bitten by an infected tick!
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Signs + Symptoms Of Anaphylaxis
Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction and anaphylaxis typically includes truncal hives, but may also include swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing and a rather significant drop in blood pressure. Be sure to dial 9-1-1 for anyone who is having trouble breathing especially if you suspect anaphylactic shock!
For The Majority Of Patients In One Study It Took Seven Years To Obtain An Alpha
While info on Alpha-Gal Syndrome is offered by many medical-information sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, the condition is still relatively unknown.1,5,10 Not surprisingly, then, one study revealed that almost 80 percent of its patient participants struggled to find a diagnosis for more than seven years.10
Whatâs more, medical literature reveals that in trying to determine the cause of their ailments, some patients underwent exploratory surgery, removal of their gallbladder or appendix, and partial removal of the pancreas before they finally received an Alpha-Gal Syndrome diagnosis.6 And according to a 2017 paper, patients are more likely to discover alpha-Gal online, on the radio, or through personal connections than by visiting the emergency room due to anaphylaxis.10
These stats are particularly troubling because a simple blood test along with a medical history and physical exam can help a healthcare provider diagnose Alpha-Gal Syndrome. In fact, a single visit with your healthcare provider and a blood draw could help save you not only a boatload of time and money otherwise spent on specialists and unnecessary tests but also a mountain of misery.
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A Tick Bite Can Make You Allergic To Red Meat
May 25, 2022
What could make a person who has loved burgers and barbecue for decades suddenly give up red meat?
Look no further than the tiny Lone Star tick.
A bite from one of these ticks can cause an allergic reaction to a substance called alpha-gal , a sugar molecule found in just about all mammals except humans, says UNC Health allergist Scott Commins, MD, PhD.
When a Lone Star tick bites a nonhuman mammal, such as a deer or dog, it may then have alpha-gal retained in its saliva when it bites a person, kicking off the reaction.
Its not just a food allergy its a syndrome, Dr. Commins says. These folks can react to medications, vaccines, heart valves and other products where red meat is not the primary ingredient but can be included as a flavor enhancer. It can become a much bigger issue than giving up beef or barbecue.
Some people also become allergic to dairy products, he says. Those who are extremely sensitive must beware of certain medicine capsules and candy containing gelatin, face creams containing collagen and lip balm containing lanolin, all of which contain alpha-gal sugar.
Symptoms Of Alpha Gal Allergy
The symptoms of alpha gal allergy vary from person to person. Many have a delayed reaction which could even be in the form of anaphylaxis shock. Symptoms may manifest anytime within 3-4 hours of eating red meat. These typically include:
- Swelling of lips, eyes, throat etc
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
Doctors are only learning more about the symptoms of alpha gal allergy now as the condition is getting greater media coverage.
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What To Expect From Your Doctor
Your health care provider will probably ask you questions, such as:
- When did you begin noticing symptoms?
- What type of meat did you eat and how much did you have before your symptoms started?
- After you ate red meat, how long did it take your symptoms to appear?
- Have you spent time outdoors in places where ticks live?
- Have you been bitten by a tick in the past? How many times? What did the tick look like?
- Did you take any allergy medicines that you can get without a prescription, such as antihistamines? If so, did they help?
- Does red meat seem to trigger your symptoms? Do you get symptoms when you eat any other foods?
- How bad are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to make your symptoms worse?
What Causes Alpha
Alpha-gal syndrome is caused when a tick bites you, and that bite gives you the alpha galactose molecule. In the U.S., the lone star tick is the primary source of alpha-gal allergy.
The lone star tick is concentrated in the eastern and south-central regions of the U.S. and is carried by deer. In Europe, Australia, and Asia, alpha-gal molecule has been found in different types of ticks.
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What Is An Alpha
Over the last decade, there has been an increase in the diagnosis of the alpha-gal allergy, also known as a red meat allergy, although it has likely been around longer. Alpha-gal is a sugar found in red meats, including beef, pork, venison, and lamb. A small percentage of adults and children have developed allergic reactions to red meat after being bitten by a tick who transferred alpha-gal to them.
Heres a video of Dr. Turbyville discussing this allergy on Kentucky Afield:
Managing A Severe Food Reaction With Epinephrine
A food allergy, including a meat allergy, can cause symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening the severity of each reaction is unpredictable. People who have previously experienced only mild symptoms may suddenly experience a more severe reaction, including anaphylaxis. In the US, food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting.
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, which results when exposure to an allergen triggers a flood of chemicals that can send your body potentially into shock if not treated promptly. Anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or minutes, can worsen quickly, and can be deadly.
Once youve been diagnosed with a food allergy, your allergist will likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector and teach you how to use it. Check the expiration date of your auto-injector, note the expiration date on your calendar, and ask your pharmacy about reminder services for prescription renewals.
If possible, have two epinephrine auto-injectors available, especially if you are going to be far from emergency care, as the severe reaction may reoccur. Epinephrine should be used immediately if you experience severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, repetitive coughing, generalized hives, tightness in your throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a combination of symptoms from different body areas such as hives, rashes, or swelling on the skin coupled with vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
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