Q. I have two friends who have developed severe red-meat allergies, one of whom was told by his doctor that it was likely tick-bite related. What can you tell us about this?
A. The condition your friends have developed is called “alpha-gal allergy.” It is triggered by a reaction to a tick bite (Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, online, June 5, 2013). The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is the culprit.
Eating beef, pork, lamb, rabbit, venison or buffalo meat can result in a delayed anaphylactic response (3 to 6 hours later). Read more about this mysterious but potentially life-threatening allergy on our website, PeoplesPharmacy.com. You may also wish to listen to our hour-long interview with experts on this important reaction, Alpha-Gal Allergy.
Children are increasingly susceptible and may be hard to diagnose. Children should be checked thoroughly for ticks whenever they come in from playing in woods or grassy areas. Parents and children should use an insect repellent when spending time in areas where there are likely to be ticks to prevent potential a tick bite.
Here are some other stories from visitors to this website. Share your own story below in the comment section.
“I, too, have the alpha-gal allergy and have been allergic to all mammalian meats for about 13 years. A year ago, I began to react to whey but can still eat all other dairy products. My reactions are severe: full body hives and a drop in blood pressure. The reaction starts four hours after I have had a meat product, which of course, I no longer knowingly eat. I have a strong reaction to tick bites. The bite stays red and itchy for a long time–several weeks to months.” L.B., Chapel Hill, NC.
“Ticks do inflict some horrible conditions! I began having delayed anaphylactic allergic reactions to meat a few years ago and found out it was due to a tick bite! This is production of an allergic class of antibody that binds to a carbohydrate present on meat called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, also known as alpha-gal.
“My symptoms, which always occurred in the middle of the night, included hives, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, abdominal cramping, sometimes diarrhea, and twice I passed out. It took me a while to figure out what was going on because I didn’t eat meat often, but this happened almost every time I did. Finally an allergist confirmed the meat allergy, but it was another year or two before I learned about a tick bite being the cause. Now my boyfriend has it too!” R.W.
“I am 50 years old and I have recently been diagnosed with a beef allergy. I had indeed been bitten by 20 or so ticks, 2 Lone star or what we call Dog Ticks and the others Seed Ticks, several weeks prior while clearing some land. I was only told that I tested positive for beef and milk. Soon after (giving up all beef and milk) I had another severe reaction this time to pork sausage, in the middle of the night just like the first time; hands and feet burning and itching, hives over most of my body and shallow breathing.
“The Epi-Pen prescribed to me by the ER Doc saved my life. I wish that local PA’s and nursing staff were more aware of this disorder and would have told me it would include all mammal meat. I still have many questions…..If someone could point me in the direction of someone with expertise, Or put them in contact with me, regarding this disorder I would be greatly appreciative!” Carrie
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
You can listen to the world’s expert (Thomas Platts-Mills, MD) on our radio show. Just search for alpha-Gal allergy in the search box or search for Platts-Mills at www.peoplespharmacy.com
