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Q; Can tick bites cause allergy to meat?

Krishna: Yes. Alpha-gal syndrome is still somewhat rare, but cases are growing

Rare cases of recurrent life-threatening allergic reactions to red meat have been linked to tick bites, according to researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

A meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) appears to be triggered by a tick bite, researchers say. Case counts are growing, too. 

In fact, a federal report noted that AGS has become the leading cause of anaphylaxis in  patients.

AGS is a severe allergy to a sugar molecule called galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (commonly referred to as alpha-gal), which is found in the cells of most mammals. Symptoms appear after eating meat or other food products with animal connections, such as dairy or gelatin.

The syndrome and its connection to ticks were discovered by researchers in 2009. AGS has been increasingly studied in the years since to gain a better understanding of it.

Tick bites are an unusual way to become allergic to a substance. This is a recent association, for sure. It’s still somewhat rare, but it’s something to be aware of, especially if you’re having unexplained allergic reactions.

One little bugger — the lone star tick — appears to be the main source of AGS in the United States.

Lone Star ticks range from the Southeast through the Eastern United States and bites from the arachnids are known to cause a rare allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal), a type of sugar found in beef, pork, lamb, and other red meats. Now, researchers from NIAID have found antibodies to α-gal in the blood of 6 of 70 individuals treated for recurrent, unexplained anaphylaxis. All 6 individuals had a history of tick bites and lived in states where Lone Star ticks are common. Adopting red meat-free diets allowed them to avoid further anaphylaxis for the duration of follow-up, which ranged from 18 months to 3 years.

Like most food allergies, reactions can range from mild to life-threatening. Signs of an AGS reaction include:

  • Skin rashes or hives, which are present in the vast majority of AGS reactions.
  • Gastrointestinal issues such as heartburn, severe stomach pain or diarrhea.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Swelling of the lips, throat or tongue.

Foods and products to avoid if you have AGS

The list starts with meat from mammals. This includes beef, pork, lamb and venison, as well as meat from furry, warm-blooded creatures. All of these can cause a reaction.

 Poultry and fish don’t contain alpha-gal and can stay in your diet.

Someone with AGS also may need to avoid: Lard (rendered pig fat) and gelatin, which is made from boiling animal bones, skin and tissue.

How to avoid tick bites

  • Wear clothing that completely covers your skin in areas with tick activity. That means long-sleeve shirts, pants and high socks. Tucking your pant legs into your socks can provide added protection.
  • Use bug sprays on your clothes and skin to ward off ticks in the areas these ticks are in high numbers.

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