It’s time to prevent tick bites and alpha-gal syndrome

Summer in Oklahoma is hot and humid – the type of weather that ticks thrive in. Protecting against tick bites is important because they can transmit numerous diseases. In the United States, one disease, called alpha-gal syndrome, is believed to be triggered by a Lone Star tick bite. In the United States, most cases of alpha-gal syndrome are in the South, East and Central United States including Oklahoma.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to alpha-gal. Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in most mammals including mammalian meat and products made from mammals, but it is not found in humans.

Alpha-gal syndrome can occur after a tick, which previously fed on a mammal, bites a human. After feeding on a mammal, the tick’s saliva can contain alpha-gal which it can transfer to a human’s blood. This can trigger an immune response and cause an allergic reaction because the human body responds as though alpha-gal is harmful.

Alpha-gal syndrome symptoms can include skin reactions such as hives or an itchy rash; gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or sever stomach pain; respiratory reactions such as cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing; drop in blood pressure; swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eye lids; and dizziness or faintness. Alpha-gal syndrome symptoms can differ from person-to-person and can range from mild to severe.

For people who develop alpha- gal syndrome, symptoms may occur anywhere from 2 to 6 hours after they eat mammalian meat or other products containing alpha-gal.

Alpha-gal syndrome should be managed under the care of an allergist or healthcare provider. The main diagnostic test for alpha-gal syndrome is a blood test looking for specific antibodies to alpha-gal.

Many foods and products contain alpha-gal. Most healthcare providers recommend people with alpha-gal syndrome avoid eating mammalian meat such as beef, pork, lamb, venison, and rabbit. Depending on a persons’ sensitivity and severity of allergic reactions, people may also be recommended to avoid other foods and ingredients which may contain alpha-gal such as milk, milk-products, beef broth and gelatin. Although very rare, some people with severe sensitivity may react to ingredients in certain vaccines or medications, such as medications in a gelatin capsule.

The best way to prevent alpha-gal syndrome is to prevent tick bites. People who have alpha-gal syndrome also need to prevent tick bites because additional tick bites may maintain or reactivate allergic reactions to alpha-gal. There is emerging evidence that some people may be able safely reintroduce foods containing alpha-gal after long periods of avoiding alpha-gal and tick bites under medical supervision.

Read more about alpha-gal syndrome, products that may contain alpha-gal, and steps you can take to prevent tick bites at the CDC website.