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The Alpha-gal Syndrome 

  • Writer: FibonacciMD
    FibonacciMD
  • Oct 16
  • 3 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Meat Allergy from Tick Bites


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Alpha-gal syndrome is a potentially life-threatening allergy that can occur after tick bites.  Alpha-gal is a sugar (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) that is present in the saliva of many animals, including ticks and some mammals, but not in humans.  When a tick bites, it can transfer alpha-gal into a person’s body through its saliva. The alpha-gal may be perceived as a foreign substance and a potential threat in some individuals. Their immune system produces alpha-gal antibodies, which can lead to an allergic reaction when they are re-exposed to it.  


Alpha-gal syndrome typically occurs after the bite of a lone star tick, and less commonly from the bite of a blacklegged tick or a western blacklegged tick.  However, not everyone who is bitten develops the sensitivity. 

Adult Female Lone Star Tick 
Adult Female Lone Star Tick 

What Foods and Animal Products Contain Alpha-gal? 

When a person with alpha-gal sensitivity eats red meat or organ meat, an allergic reaction may be triggered.  Dairy products also may contain some alpha-gal, but many people with alpha-gal sensitivity are able to tolerate drinking milk.  Other food products such as gelatin made from beef or pork, mammal fats, such as lard, tallow, or suet, and meat broth, bouillon, stock, or gravy may potentially contain alpha-gal.  Some medications and vaccines may contain small amounts of alpha-gal-containing additives, stabilizers, or coatings; however, not all patients with alpha-gal syndrome react to these ingredients.  Artificial heart valves from pigs or cows may also contain some alpha-gal, although genetically engineered pigs that lack alpha-gal have been developed.


Prevalence, Symptoms and Diagnosis 

The CDC reports that between 2010 and 2022, 110,000 suspected cases were identified in the U.S., and as many as 450,000 people may have alpha-gal syndrome.


Alpha-gal syndrome may cause a wide range of symptoms, including hives or itchy rash, nausea or vomiting, heartburn, indigestion or severe stomach pain, diarrhea, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, hypotension (drop in blood pressure), swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids, dizziness or faintness, or anaphylaxis.  Symptoms typically appear two to six hours after eating food or being exposed to other products containing alpha-gal, such as gelatin-coated medications derived from animals.


Diagnosis of alpha-gal syndrome is based on clinical history, particularly allergic reactions after ingestion of mammalian meat or related products.  Confirmation is obtained through measurement of serum alpha-gal–specific IgE antibodies.  In some cases, skin testing for allergy may be used as a supplemental diagnostic tool.


Treatment

Reactions to Alpha-gal can range from mild to severe.  Standard allergy or anaphylaxis  treatment is recommended depending on the extent of the reaction.


Prevention of tick bites can decrease the incidence of this syndrome.  Avoiding substances that contain alpha-gal is the primary treatment for allergic individuals.  


To reduce the severity or number of attacks, some researchers have investigated oral desensitization for alpha-gal allergy.  This is a process where patients, under strict medical supervision, consume gradually increasing amounts of meat.  However, there are only a limited number of studies on alpha-gal desensitization, and this type of therapy may potentially cause life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.


If you are interested in learning about tickborne illnesses in more depth, read the FibonacciMedicine article, Diagnosis and Treatment of Four Tickborne Diseases.


Be Prepared:

As an Amazon Associate FibonacciMD earns from qualifying purchases.

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