08/26/2026
WEEKLY WORD
Alpha-Gal:
When a Tick or Mosquito Change Your World
Imagine eating a hamburger for dinner and then waking up hours later with hives, stomach pain, or trouble breathingβbut having no idea what caused it. For some people, the culprit is alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a potentially serious allergy that can develop after a tick bite. In the United States, it is most commonly associated with the lone star tick but can be transmitted via mosquitos.
The CDC estimates that as many as 450,000 Americans may be affected. Here is one of the strangest things about alpha-gal: the reaction is usually delayed. Unlike many food allergies that cause symptoms within minutes, AGS reactions commonly occur 2β6 hours after eating. That delay can make it difficult to connect the reaction with a meal. Symptoms may include hives, swelling, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Severe reactions can lead to anaphylaxis and require emergency treatment. Alpha-gal is actually a sugar molecule found in most mammalsβbut not in humans, birds, fish, or reptiles. This means chicken, turkey, fish, and many seafood choices do not naturally contain alpha-gal. Beef, pork, lamb, venison, rabbit, and other mammalian meats do. Alpha-gal can also be found in products made from mammals, including gelatin and some dairy products. People can find themselves sensitive to everyday products such as lotions, body washes, detergents and more.
Occasionally an alpha gal sufferer is reactive to fumes from these products as well because they have mammalian byproducts.
A person with Alpha Gal must be careful eating at any restaurant as many grills have cross contamination with beef and some people are so sensitive they can have a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction coming in contact with the allergen.
Natural Help & Everyday Protection β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ Avoid additional tick bites. Wear long pants, tuck pants into socks, use EPA-registered tick repellent, and check yourself and pets after being outdoors. Follow your healthcare provider's recommended diet. Avoiding mammalian meat is the primary dietary treatment. Some people also need to avoid dairy or gelatin. Keep a food-and-symptom journal. Because reactions can be delayed, writing down what you eat and when symptoms occur can help identify patterns. Ask before taking medications or supplements. Some medicines and medical products can contain mammal-derived ingredients. Don't experiment with βnatural cures.β Herbs, supplements, acupuncture, or special diets have not been proven to cure AGS.
While there is not a cure for alpha gal, some people are finding alternative treatments such as SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) by certified professionals (see Dr. Soliman's website for a list of certified professionals) or electro-needling to be beneficial for symptom management. I spoke with Dr. Thurman in Macon, Missouri, about his procedure. He does electro-needling (acupuncture with electrical stimulation). He follows up with each of his patients after the procedure. He reports about 85% of his patients are in remission after 1-2 of his treatments.
In 2024, the FDA approved Xolair as a treatment for food allergies. Some alpha gal sufferers, find relief with this injection, administered once or twice per month long-term. If you suspect alpha-gal syndrome, talk with a healthcare professional about your symptoms and appropriate testing. And remember avoiding the next tick bite may be just as important as avoiding the next steak.
One thing is certain; this is a life altering illness that is grabbing our attention more and more every day. We are considering starting a support group here at the health department to open a space for those that are dealing with Alpha-Gal an opportunity to share information they have, what is working or not working--please reach out if this is something you'd be interested in (6603973396 ask for Lori).
Michelle Chrisman, Health Educator
