Alpha-gal syndrome: Up to 450,000 have red meat allergies from tick bites | US News
Researchers are warning that a potentially life-threatening condition causing allergic reactions to red meat and dairy is spreading across the United States through tick bites.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is calling the rise in diagnoses of alpha-gal syndrome an ’emerging public health problem.’
Alpha-gal syndrome is characterized by an allergic reaction to alpha-gal – a sugar molecule found in mammals.
According to the CDC, alpha-gal is found in meats like pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, and venison. It is also found in gelatin, cow’s milk, and other dairy products.
It is not found in fish, poultry, reptiles, and humans.
Allergic reactions caused by alpha-gal syndrome typically cause hives or itchy rashes. They can also cause nausea, coughing, drops in blood pressure, and fainting.
The symptoms typically occur 2-6 hours after eating or coming in contact with the animal products.
Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening, and can cause victims to experience anaphylaxis.
Alpha-gal syndrome is known to be carried by lone star ticks, a species native to the southeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the US. They are easily identified by a large white spot on the adult female’s back.
However, diagnoses of alpha-gal syndrome are starting to occur outside the lone star tick’s natural range, including in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.
A recent study concluded that cases of alpha-gal syndrome are on the rise in the US. A total of 90,000 cases were diagnosed in the country between 2017 and 2021. Diagnoses also increased by about 15,000 people per year.
However, because a diagnosis requires both a test and a clinical exam, researchers believe many people suffering from alpha-gal syndrome remain undiagnosed. The CDC estimates up to 450,000 Americans could be living with the condition.
Dr Johanna Salzer, the author of multiple studies on alpha-gal syndrome, said many remain undiagnosed due to ‘non-specific and inconsistent symptoms, challenges seeking healthcare, and lack of clinician awareness.’
Additionally, many American doctors may not even know to look for alpha-gal syndrome when treating patients.
According to a nationwide survey conducted by the CDC, 42% of doctors in the US have never even heard of alpha-gal syndrome. Another 35% were ‘not too confident’ in their ability to diagnose the potentially fatal condition.
Only 5% reported they were ‘very confident’ in their ability to diagnose alpha-gal syndrome.
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