By Allison Edwards MS, RDN
Most Midwesterners are familiar with ticks that wreak havoc in the summer months, and most have probably experienced at least one tick bite in their lives. Warmer temperatures in recent years have been favorable for ticks, and as a result there have been more tick bites. Lone Star ticks inject a sugar called alpha-gal to people through their saliva, which can trigger the immune system to produce antibodies against alpha-gal. This bodily response can then lead to alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). Alpha-gal is found in the meat of most mammals (other than primates) and in some other products such as gelatin and dairy. AGS is most commonly reported in the southern, central, and eastern US.
Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and can include:
Hives
Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or eyelids
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Heartburn
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Decreased blood pressure
The best way to prevent the development of AGS is to prevent tick bites. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, and boots when in potentially tick-infested habitats such as tall grass and shrubs. Perform a full body visual scan, including in your hair, after you get home as well to make sure there are no sneaky ticks crawling on you.
Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment or cure for AGS. Management of AGS includes the use of antihistamines and epinephrine, as well as eliminating red meat and other alpha-gal-containing products from the diet. There are luckily still several safe protein options for people with AGS including poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, tofu, beans, and more! This diet can be very intimidating and limiting for some people. If you find yourself in this situation, talk to your primary care provider about a referral to see a registered dietitian nutritionist!
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