Tick that may cause red meat allergy found in Florida. 8 things you ...

The Centers for Disease Control is warning the public and physicians about an "emerging public health problem, with potentially severe health impacts that can last a lifetime for some patients.” 

It is estimated that as many as 450,000 people might have been affected by alpha-gal syndrome, also known as AGS.

The CDC said a survey of 1,500 family/general practitioners, internists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants revealed nearly half of them had not heard of AGS. About one-third reported they were "not too confident" in their ability to diagnose or manage patients with AGS.

Alpha-gal syndrome:AGS is a tick-borne meat allergy may have affected half a million people, CDC says

What is alpha-gal?

• Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in most mammals.
• Alpha-gal is not found in fish, reptiles, birds, or people.
• Alpha-gal can be found in meat (pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, etc.) and products made from mammals (including gelatin, cow’s milk, and milk products).

What is alpha-gal syndrome, also known as AGS?

Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic condition.

AGS is also called alpha-gal allergy, red meat allergy, or tick bite meat allergy. AGS is not caused by an infection.

AGS symptoms occur after people eat red meat or are exposed to other products containing alpha-gal.

How do you get alpha-gal syndrome?

AGS is associated with tick bites. Evidence suggests AGS is primarily associated with the bite of a lone star tick in the United States, but other kinds of ticks have not been ruled out.

Other tick species have been connected with the development of AGS in other countries.

More research is needed to understand the role ticks play in starting this condition, and why certain people develop AGS.

Where can the lone star tick be found?

Where is the lone star tick? The tick can be found throughout the eastern, southeastern, and south-central United States.

➤ See county-level estimated and established distribution.

What diseases does the lone star tick transmit?  In addition to the growing evidence that suggests alpha-gal syndrome may be triggered by the bite of lone star ticks, the ticks also transmit: Bourbon virus,  ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus, tularemia, and STARI.

What you should know about the lone star tick: This is a "very aggressive tick that bites humans," the CDC said. The adult female is distinguished by a white dot or “lone star” on her back. Lone star tick saliva can be irritating; redness and discomfort at a bite site does not necessarily indicate an infection. The nymph and adult females most frequently bite humans and transmit disease.

What are the symptoms of AGS?

AGS symptoms can include:

• Hives or itchy rash
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• Drop in blood pressure
• Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eye lids
• Dizziness or faintness
• Severe stomach pain

When do symptoms appear?

Symptoms commonly appear two to six hours after eating meat or dairy products, or after exposure to products containing alpha-gal, including gelatin-coated medications.

AGS reactions can be different from person to person. They can range from mild to severe or even life-threatening. Anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening reaction) may need urgent medical care.

People may not have an allergic reaction after every alpha-gal exposure.

If you think you may have AGS, talk to your healthcare provider.

What products contain alpha-gal?

Here is a basic list of foods to avoid if you have alpha-gal syndrome, as compiled by the Allergy Asthma Clinic and CDC:

• Beef
• Beef stock or broth (use caution with chicken broth since “natural flavoring” can be from mammals.
• Bison
• Buffalo
• Brown gravy made with beef broth
• Gelatin if made from byproducts of meat and leather industry
• Some medications and vaccines may contain small amounts of alpha-gal-containing additives, stabilizers, or coatings. Not all patients with AGS react to these ingredients.
• Gummy candies, unless vegan
• Some ice cream and yogurt
• Gelatin desserts
• Marshmallows
• Altoids brand mints
• Gelatin capsules, including vitamins, supplements, and prescription medicines
• Glycerin
• Medications that contain pre-gelatinized starch
• Goat
• Lamb
• Lard. Special note: Some refried beans contain lard.
• Pork
• Venison
• Magnesium stearate in pills
• Bovine extract
• Tic-tacs. Some contain pork derivatives.

In extreme cases, avoid contact with:

• Lanolin (from sheep)
• Leather (including shoes, couches, coats)
• Pets/animal contact/inhalation can trigger cough

The CDC also said other medical products — such as heart valves from pigs or cows, monoclonal antibodies, heparin, and certain antivenoms — are animal-derived and may contain alpha-gal.

Foods that do not contain alpha-gal

• Poultry, such as chicken, turkey, duck, or quail
• Eggs
• Fish and seafood
• Fruits and vegetables

Can alpha-gal syndrome be treated?

Treatment for AGS typically involves avoiding foods with alpha-gal and taking medications to manage symptoms that may occur with accidental exposure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The most effective way to avoid getting AGS and other tick-borne illnesses is to prevent tick bites. 

A website maintained by people with AGS, alphagalinformation.org, agreed, saying the best thing people with AGS can do is avoid foods and other products that contain alpha-gal in order to prevent allergic reactions.

"Since additional tick bites can make AGS allergic reactions worse, avoiding the ticks that can trigger AGS, like the Lone Star Tick, may help keep your reactions from getting worse."