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What to know about alpha-gal syndrome, the life-threatening meat allergy caused by tick bites
KSL News • • health
Key Points:
- Alpha-gal syndrome is a life-threatening allergy to meat triggered by tick bites, causing reactions such as hives, diarrhea, and itchiness after consuming mammalian meat or dairy, but not poultry or seafood.
- The allergy arises when certain ticks introduce alpha-gal sugar into the bloodstream via bites, prompting the immune system to develop antibodies that cause allergic reactions hours after eating affected foods.
- Cases are increasing due to greater awareness and the expanding range of the lone star tick, the primary carrier in the U.S., with an estimated 450,000 Americans affected.
- Diagnosis relies on blood tests detecting alpha-gal antibodies combined with symptom assessment, as tests alone can yield false positives; treatment mainly involves avoiding mammalian meat and carrying emergency epinephrine.
- In 2024, the FDA approved Xolair, an injectable drug reducing severe allergic reactions in alpha-gal patients, and research continues into other biologic therapies to better manage or prevent the syndrome.
