Alpha-Gal Syndrome: a tick-borne food allergy
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EmailWhat to know about the “red meat allergy”.
With changing seasons comes the introduction of various pests. Due to rising global temperatures, there has been a significant rise in the prevalence of ticks in many US States. Most notably, in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest regions, according to a 2024 report from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most people’s top concern about tick-borne disease is Lyme Disease. However, a different and emerging disease is Alpha-Gal Syndrome.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), also referred to as the “red meat allergy”, is a serious and potentially deadly tick-borne allergy. Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule naturally produced in the bodies of most mammals, not including humans, and can be found in the saliva of some ticks. When a person is bitten by a tick carrying the molecule, Alpha-gal can be transferred to their bloodstream. The body’s natural defense system- the immune system- identifies this molecule as a threat and triggers an allergic reaction.
The reason this allergy is often referred to as a “red meat” allergy is that symptoms often occur after someone eats mammalian red meat. The difference with this food allergy, however, is that rather than symptoms occurring within a few minutes up to two hours, alpha-gal symptoms tend to appear four to eight hours, and even up to ten hours after consuming products containing red meat. For this reason, it’s good to know the common symptoms associated with the allergy,
Symptoms of Alpha-gal will mimic more typical allergic reactions. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) outlines the common symptoms of an AGS allergy, including:
- Hives or itchy rash
- Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Drop in blood pressure
- Swelling of lips, throat, tongue or eyelids
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis.
The common tick breed associated with carrying Alpha-gal is the Lone star tick; however, other ticks have been identified as carriers. The Lone star tick is Michigan’s third most prevalent tick species and is the primary carrier of the disease in the Midwest regions. Adult female Lone star ticks are the easiest to identify as they have a single white dot in the center of their body. For better identification, see this pest diagnostic fact sheet from Michigan State University.
The best way to prevent contracting Alpha-gal syndrome is to prevent tick bites. If you have been diagnosed and are living with AGS, work with your primary care doctor and develop a plan. Avoid eating meat from mammals and potentially other foods or supplements that may contain these ingredients. Those with severe allergies should consider carrying an EpiPen and always seek immediate emergency care if experiencing severe symptoms.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).
