Alpha-gal syndrome: This hasn’t been around for long and it isn’t something that plagues “bossy women!” Lol. AGS can be tricky to detect and formally diagnose. Personally, I am on a quest to find out more on “how and why” it surfaced—trying to interview the famous worldwide researcher who figured it all out, Dr. Thomas Platts Mills.
AGS causes an allergic/anaphylactic reaction to mammalian meat or derivatives that, unlike peanut allergies, takes several hours to manifest, thus making it tricky to properly diagnose and treat in time. The allergen is the alpha-gal sugar that comes from the bite of the Lone Star tick. My question to the discoverer of this reaction is: “Has this always been in place and occurring or has something in our environment or biochemistry changed to cause this new and violent reaction?” A reaction can even be elicited from taking meds housed in a gelatin covering as they use a bovine product for this.
In a CDC report, it showed that between 2010 and 2022 more than 110,000 suspected cases of AGS were identified! Many cases were unidentifiable so they aren’t reported to the CDC and so it is very possible that the actual number is, at least, double what has been reported. Much more data and research are needed to understand how many people are affected by this condition.
Risk factors would be tick BITES. In our country, AGS is primarily associated with the Lone Star tick, but other types of ticks haven’t been conclusively ruled out. Most of the Lone Star ticks are found in the South, East and Central states. In other countries, additional types of ticks have been known to cause AGS.
Symptoms can include hives or itchy rash, nausea and vomiting, severe stomach pain, heartburn/indigestion, diarrhea, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, swelling of the lips, throat, tongue and eyelids. Dizziness and fainting can be added to the mix. The AGS reactions can vary from person to person and CAN be life threatening as an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a potential life threatening condition that can easily involve multiple organs/systems. If you believe you are in anaphylaxis, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Prevention of tick bites is vital and WILL reduce, drastically, the chances of developing AGS and other tick-borne illnesses. Before you go outdoors:
1) Avoid grassy, bushy and wooded areas that harbor ticks.
2) Walk in the center of trails.
3) Treat clothing and gear with Permethrin or buy pretreated items.
4) Use EPA registered insect repellent.
After you come indoors:
1) Check clothing for ticks.
2) Examine gear and pets for ticks.
3) Shower and perform a thorough tick check.
4) If you see an attached tick, remove immediately.
Diagnosis is done via a physical exam, detailed patient history, and a test for antibodies you produce in response to alpha-gal.
Living with AGS can be difficult and therefore should be managed under the care of a health professional, preferably, an allergist. They will advise you to stop eating meat from mammals. Work closely with your allergist to know which products containing alpha-gal you should avoid. Read food labels, carefully. Also, speak to your health care professional prior to taking a vaccine or introducing new meds.
Next article will be an expose on the doctor who discovered this.
Comments