Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
An alpha-gal allergy—also referred to as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)—is an allergic reaction to red meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, or other mammal products.
It is believed up to 3% of the population have an alpha-gal allergy, but it’s possible there are more misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases.
Hailshadow / Getty Images
What Is Alpha-Gal?Alpha-gal (alphagalactose-1,3-galactose) is a carbohydrate found in the saliva of the lone star tick that has a similar structure to a carbohydrate found inmammalianmeat.
What Is Alpha-Gal?
Alpha-gal (alphagalactose-1,3-galactose) is a carbohydrate found in the saliva of the lone star tick that has a similar structure to a carbohydrate found inmammalianmeat.
An allergic reaction will not always occur following exposure to alpha-gal, and the reaction from alpha-gal can vary between people.The average delay in reaction time is between two to six hours.
An alpha-gal allergy presents much later than most other food allergies, which typically occur within 20 to 30 minutes.
An alpha-gal reaction may cause symptoms like:
Meat Allergy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Testing for an Alpha-gal Allergy
Alpha-gal allergy is typically diagnosed through a combination of:
If you suspect you might have an alpha-gal allergy, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Alpha-gal allergy can be serious and potentially life-threatening, as it can causeanaphylaxis, which warrants immediate medical attention.
If you suspect you are experiencing a severe reaction, immediately see a healthcare provider.
Anaphylaxis Is a Medical EmergencyIf you’re with someone you suspect is in anaphylaxis, it’s important you act quickly.You should:Use an EpiPen on the person if they have one.Call an ambulance, even if the person says they feel better.If possible, have the person lie down and raise their legs.If the person is having problems breathing, sit them up to help them breathe.If the person is pregnant, have them lie down on their left-hand side.If possible and a second EpiPen is available, give a second shot after five minutes if symptoms do not get better.
Anaphylaxis Is a Medical Emergency
If you’re with someone you suspect is in anaphylaxis, it’s important you act quickly.You should:Use an EpiPen on the person if they have one.Call an ambulance, even if the person says they feel better.If possible, have the person lie down and raise their legs.If the person is having problems breathing, sit them up to help them breathe.If the person is pregnant, have them lie down on their left-hand side.If possible and a second EpiPen is available, give a second shot after five minutes if symptoms do not get better.
If you’re with someone you suspect is in anaphylaxis, it’s important you act quickly.
You should:
Treatment for alpha-gall allergy is typically through an allergist and other healthcare providers.
Avoiding further tick bites is important.
Treating allergic reactions may involve:
In severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis,adrenalineis used.
Those who are diagnosed with an alpha-gal allergy will usually be asked to not eat red meat. This includes:
In some cases, it may also be necessary to avoid other foods and products that contain alpha-gal. Some people even need to avoid things like gelatin and cow’s milk that contain smaller amounts of alpha-gal.
Chicken and fish may still be eaten.
Alpha-gal can be present in some medications and vaccinations. It is important that those with an alpha-gal allergy speak with a healthcare provider before having a new medication or vaccination.
The main prevention strategy for avoiding alpha-gal allergy is to avoid tick bites.
What You Need to Know About Tick Bites
In the United States, contact with ticks can happen any time of year but is most common from April to September when the weather is warmer.
Ticks can be found in a number of places outdoors including:
Ticks can also be found on animals. Being outside in the yard or walking the dog can potentially expose a person to ticks.
There are some simple strategies for trying to avoid tick bites when outside:
There are also ways to prevent tick bites once returning indoors. These include:
Checking the body for ticks after being outside is another important prevention strategy. This can involve standing in front of a mirror or using a handheld mirror to search for ticks. Remember to check:
Summary
If you suspect you may have an alpha-gal allergy, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider for advice and further evaluation. They will be able to support you in making changes like cutting out red meat and devising strategies to avoid future tick bites.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThose with an alpha-gal allergy should avoid red meat and products that contain alpha-gal. This can include things like gelatin and cow’s milk.More research is needed to better understand the long-term implications of alpha-gal allergy. It’s possible in some people it may be transient and may eventually go away after 18 months or two years. At that time, it may be possible to attempt to reintroduce red meat.People with a history of life-threatening anaphylaxis should not perform challenges at home without physician guidance.In the United States, alpha-gal allergy has been reported in the South, East, and Central parts of the country. It has also been reported all over the world.
Those with an alpha-gal allergy should avoid red meat and products that contain alpha-gal. This can include things like gelatin and cow’s milk.
More research is needed to better understand the long-term implications of alpha-gal allergy. It’s possible in some people it may be transient and may eventually go away after 18 months or two years. At that time, it may be possible to attempt to reintroduce red meat.People with a history of life-threatening anaphylaxis should not perform challenges at home without physician guidance.
More research is needed to better understand the long-term implications of alpha-gal allergy. It’s possible in some people it may be transient and may eventually go away after 18 months or two years. At that time, it may be possible to attempt to reintroduce red meat.
People with a history of life-threatening anaphylaxis should not perform challenges at home without physician guidance.
In the United States, alpha-gal allergy has been reported in the South, East, and Central parts of the country. It has also been reported all over the world.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sharma SR, Karim S.Tick saliva and the alpha-gal syndrome: finding a needle in a haystack.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:680264. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.680264DermNet NZ.Tick bite-induced red meat allergy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alpha-gal syndrome.Young I, Prematunge C, Pussegoda K, Corrin T, Waddell L.Tick exposures and alpha-gal syndrome: A systematic review of the evidence.Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2021;12(3):101674. doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101674NHS.Anaphylaxis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Alpha-gal and red meat allergy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing tick bites.UNC School of Medicine.Alpha-gal allergy – with Dr. Scott Commins.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sharma SR, Karim S.Tick saliva and the alpha-gal syndrome: finding a needle in a haystack.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:680264. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.680264DermNet NZ.Tick bite-induced red meat allergy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alpha-gal syndrome.Young I, Prematunge C, Pussegoda K, Corrin T, Waddell L.Tick exposures and alpha-gal syndrome: A systematic review of the evidence.Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2021;12(3):101674. doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101674NHS.Anaphylaxis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Alpha-gal and red meat allergy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing tick bites.UNC School of Medicine.Alpha-gal allergy – with Dr. Scott Commins.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sharma SR, Karim S.Tick saliva and the alpha-gal syndrome: finding a needle in a haystack.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:680264. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.680264DermNet NZ.Tick bite-induced red meat allergy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alpha-gal syndrome.Young I, Prematunge C, Pussegoda K, Corrin T, Waddell L.Tick exposures and alpha-gal syndrome: A systematic review of the evidence.Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2021;12(3):101674. doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101674NHS.Anaphylaxis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Alpha-gal and red meat allergy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing tick bites.UNC School of Medicine.Alpha-gal allergy – with Dr. Scott Commins.
Sharma SR, Karim S.Tick saliva and the alpha-gal syndrome: finding a needle in a haystack.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:680264. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.680264
DermNet NZ.Tick bite-induced red meat allergy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alpha-gal syndrome.
Young I, Prematunge C, Pussegoda K, Corrin T, Waddell L.Tick exposures and alpha-gal syndrome: A systematic review of the evidence.Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2021;12(3):101674. doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101674
NHS.Anaphylaxis.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Alpha-gal and red meat allergy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing tick bites.
UNC School of Medicine.Alpha-gal allergy – with Dr. Scott Commins.
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