According to two studies released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there may be hundreds of thousands of Americans who are unknowingly allergic to red meat due to a tick-borne allergy. The CDC has detected 110,000 suspected cases of the allergy, known as alpha-gal syndrome, through blood tests for antibodies since 2010. However, they believe the true number of cases is closer to 500,000. Last year alone, 19,000 people tested positive for the allergy. Surprisingly, 42% of medical professionals surveyed had never even heard of alpha-gal syndrome, and another 35% were uncertain about their ability to diagnose it.
Alpha-gal syndrome gets its name from the sugar found in beef, pork, and meat from other mammals, as well as dairy products. This sugar is also present in tick saliva and can cause a severe reaction when it enters the body through the skin, leading to the development of alpha-gal syndrome. One reason the allergy is often under-diagnosed is due to the inconsistent symptoms it presents, which can include hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids. The lone star tick is the main culprit for spreading the allergy, although other ticks may also be responsible.
Unlike most food allergies, symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome only appear hours after consuming red meat. The American Gastroenterological Association suggests that those experiencing unexplained diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain should get tested for the allergy. Unfortunately, there is currently no known treatment or cure for the syndrome, although it does fade away in about one-fifth of patients over time. CDC disease ecologist and veterinarian Johanna Salzer emphasizes the importance of tick prevention for public health and raising awareness about alpha-gal syndrome.
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