Symptoms are a consequence of tick bite and only manifest later, up to three months later. Alpha-Gaga syndrome can be fatal. Learn all about her.
Hours after enjoying that perfectly grilled steak on a beautiful summer night, the body revolts, declaring war at the very meal he has just appreciated. It begins to feel intense itching, pain or even swelling, which can climb to the point of requiring urgent medical care.
The guilty It is not a food poisoning – It is the consequence of a stump which may have had months before, without even realizing it.
This late allergic reaction is called alpha-gaga syndrome. Although it is commonly known as “red meat allergy,” this nickname is deceiving, as alpha-gaga syndrome can cause strong reactions to many other products.
The syndrome is also spreading rapidly in the US and in various parts of the world. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that up to 450,000 people in the US may have this condition. And is transmitted by much more species of ticks than most people imagine.
What is alpha-gaga syndrome?
Alphagal syndrome is actually an allergy to a sugar molecule with a complicated name: galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, abbreviated for alphagal.
This sugar molecule is present in the tissues of most mammals, including cows, pigs, deer and rabbits. But it is absent in humans. When a significant dose of alphagal enters the bloodstream through a tick bite, it can activate a strong response from the immune system, leading to the production of antibodies against alphagal. In future exhibitions to foods containing this molecule, the immune system can trigger a inadequate allergic response.
Often this allergy is triggered by ingestion of red meat. But it can also be caused by other animal products, including Dairy, gelatin (such as used in gums or gelatins), medicine and even Personal Hygiene Products.
An example is the heparinan anticoagulant medicine used during surgeries, which is extracted from pork intestines and has already caused serious reactions to people with this syndrome.
After developing alphagal syndrome, it is possible to overcome allergy-if the diet is carefully adjusted to avoid further reactions for a few years and if new tick bites are avoided. But that requires time and attention to less obvious triggers.
Because more people are being diagnosed
As an entomologist who studies insects and the diseases they transmit, what I consider worrying is the speed with which this allergy is spreading globally.
A few years ago, experts thought that alphagal syndrome was mainly limited to the southeastern US, as it was associated with Lone Starwhose geographical distribution was restricted to this region.
However, many other species of ticks have been identified, both local and globally, on six continents, capable of causing the syndrome-including the Ixodes scapularis tick, or tossy, which also transmits lyme disease.
These ticks can hide in backyards, urban parks and forestswhere they cling to the walkers to contact infested vegetation. With the growth of deer and humans populations, tacking populations are increasing significantly, such as the number of people with alpha-gala syndrome.
Because the ticks are blamed for the syndrome
There are several theories about how a tick bite triggers this syndrome and why only a few chopped people develop allergy. To understand them, it is useful to realize what happens when a tick begins to feed on our blood.
Upon finding a host, the tick Looking for a dark and dark zone in the body where you can hide and fix. Then your serrated teeth They cut the skin with quick movements.
As it penetrates more deeply, the tick releases a feeding tube with hooks and segregates a cement -like substance that fixes the head to the host’s body.
After fixing, the tick inject large amounts of salivawhich contains anesthetics, anticoagulants and sometimes alpha-galae molecules to feed without being detected-sometimes for several days.
One of the theories associates the allergic reaction with the large amount of tick saliva, which can activate an intense immune response. Another points to skin damage caused by the tick, or the possible regurgitation of the stomach content of the tick to the bite site. It may also be a combination of these factors. Science continues to investigate.
How is the allergic reaction
The allergy does not immediately manifest. Typically, between one to three months After the sensitizing bite, the person has his first unexpected reaction.
Alphagal syndrome can cause symptoms ranging from urticaria or swelling to intense abdominal pain, violent nausea or anaphylactic shock potentially fatal. Symptoms usually arise between two to six hours after meat ingestion or another product with alpha-Gal.
However, due to the lack of knowledge about the syndrome, the doctors may not recognize the symptoms. A study of 2022 revealed that 42% of US health professionals had never heard of alpha-Gal syndrome. A decade ago, the sick could pass years without diagnosis. Today, the diagnosis is faster in the regions where doctors are familiar with the syndrome, but it remains difficult in other zones.
Unfortunately, with each new stump or exposure to alpha-Galo products, allergy can get worse.
