According to recent research, the incidence of alpha-gal syndrome, a rare meat allergy caused by tick bites, is on the rise in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that an increasing number of people are developing this allergy, which can lead to severe reactions to various types of meat and animal products, potentially posing a threat to life. It is estimated that up to 450,000 Americans may have already been affected by this condition.
Experts have cautioned that the geographic range of ticks, which can be identified by the distinctive white spot on their back, is expanding due to the effects of climate change. Although these ticks are commonly found in the southern and eastern regions of the United States, their presence is now being observed in areas where they were previously uncommon. The white-spotted ticks are known to transmit diseases, including the alpha-gal syndrome that causes a rare meat allergy, and it’s important to take precautions to avoid tick bites when spending time outdoors in affected areas.
The Amblyomma Americanum, commonly known as the lone star tick, is a type of tick that can transmit a unique sugar molecule called “alpha-gal” to humans through its bite. This molecule can trigger an immune response in some people, causing them to develop alpha-gal syndrome, a rare meat allergy. This means that consuming certain types of meat and animal products made from mammals can make a person sick if they have been bitten by a lone star tick and have developed this allergy.Â
It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with tick bites and to take precautions to avoid them, especially in areas where lone star ticks are prevalent.
Individuals who have developed alpha-gal syndrome, meat allergy caused by tick bites, may need to avoid certain types of food and medications. Foods that are commonly associated with triggering allergic reactions in people with alpha-gal syndrome include pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, gelatin, milk, and some dairy products.
Symptoms of Tick bite
Some of the common symptoms of this syndrome include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and hives. In more severe cases, individuals may experience shortness of breath, which can potentially trigger a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis.
One of the unique challenges of alpha-gal syndrome, a rare meat allergy caused by tick bites, is that symptoms may not appear until several hours after consuming meat or animal products. This is because the sugar molecule that triggers the allergic reaction is slow to digest, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that over 110,000 cases of alpha-gal syndrome have been detected since 2010 in the United States.Â
To protect themselves from tick bites and the potential illnesses they can cause, experts recommend that people take certain precautions when spending time outdoors, especially during the warmer months. These precautions include covering up with long-sleeved shirts and pants, as well as regularly checking their bodies for ticks.
Tick bites can transmit dangerous illnesses, such as Lyme disease, so it’s important to minimize the risk of being bitten by using insect repellent, such as those containing DEET, or by pre-treating clothing with permethrin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) specifically advises people to use these methods when spending time outdoors.
For more than a decade, Dr. Erin McGintee, an allergy and immunology physician practicing privately in Long Island, New York, has been observing an increase in the number of patients with alpha-gal syndrome. Over the course of her career, she has treated approximately 900 patients with this condition.
According to a recent report by the CDC, the number of new cases of alpha-gal syndrome is on the rise. The report showed that from 2017 through 2021, there was an increase of approximately 15,000 new cases each year.
