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Tag: Alpha-Gal allergy syndrome

Published on Leave a comment on Carrageenan May Be A Problem In Those With Red Meat Allergies Caused By Tick Bites
Lone star tick Credit: Wikipedia

Tick bites from the lone star tick are increasingly resulting in the alpha-gal syndrome in the United States. This syndrome results in an intense delayed allergic response to red meat (beef, pork, and lamb), dairy products, and gelatin. Researchers have now found another common food ingredient that may cause an allergic response in those with the syndrome: carrageenan.

Carrageenan is derived from seaweed and is a commonly used emulsifier in foods and an ingredient in medications. A recent study of 562 individuals with self-reported alpha-gal syndrome found that about 11% reported an allergic response to carrageenan.

Following up on this in larger groups of people (how pervasive is carrageenan allergy in alpha-gal syndrome?) will be interesting. Many drugs don't report ingredient lists, and how many people actually read food ingredient lists? Unfortunately, someone trying to avoid dairy products due to alpha-gal syndrome may instead eat non-dairy ice cream - which contains carrageenan (as a thickener)!

From Medscape: Carrageenan: A Potential Allergen for Patients With Alpha-Gal Syndrome

 Carrageenan is the second most commonly self-reported allergy by individuals with alpha-gal syndrome, surpassing nearly all other alpha-gal-containing food allergens, according to a research poster presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2026 Annual Meeting. ...continue reading "Carrageenan May Be A Problem In Those With Red Meat Allergies Caused By Tick Bites"

Published on Leave a comment on Lone Star Tick Bites and Red Meat Allergies
Lone Star Tick Credit: Wikimedia Commons

For years scientists have been watching the spread of the Lone Star Tick moving progressively northward from southeastern states.  One health condition that can be caused by the Lone Star Tick is an allergy to red meat, called the alpha-gal allergy syndrome.

It was recently revealed that the first known death from the alpha-gal syndrome occurred in a healthy 47 year old New Jersey man who consumed a hamburger at a barbecue in 2024 - he died from a fatal anaphylactic reaction a few hours later. Earlier that summer he had been bitten by small Lone Star Tick larvae on his legs, but at the time he thought they were only chigger (small mites) bites.

The symptoms of the allergy are pretty incredible: eat some red meat (beef, pork, or venison) and a few hours later have severe allergy symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, itching, hives, swelling, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea. The allergy is to the sugar molecule commonly called alpha-gal which is found in red meat, dairy, and some medications (such as the cancer drug cetuximab).

Once a person has this allergy there is no cure, vaccine, or treatment other than avoiding red meat (and in more severe cases dairy foods), treating the allergy symptoms, and carrying an EpiPen (just in case). Many cases start to improve within six months to a few years.

Martha's Vineyard has been exploding with cases of alpha-gal syndrome (lots of lone star ticks on the island) to the point that restaurants are offering alpha-gal safe foods (vegetarian and vegan food) on their menus.

From Medical Xpress: First death linked to 'meat allergy' spread by ticks

A healthy 47-year-old man from New Jersey died abruptly four hours after consuming beef. The cause of his death had been a mystery until UVA Health's Thomas Platts-Mills, MD, Ph.D., investigated. A world-renowned allergist, Platts-Mills discovered the allergy and remains the foremost expert on it. ...continue reading "Lone Star Tick Bites and Red Meat Allergies"

Published on Leave a comment on Red Meat Allergies From A Tick Bite?

 Image result for red meat, wikipedia Red meat allergies from a lone star tick bite? I first read about this a few years ago in Science Daily and it seemed pretty incredible - eat some red meat (beef, pork, or venison) and a few hours later have severe allergy symptoms such as itching, hives, swelling, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea. And the allergy starts after a person is bitten by a lone star tick.

A few years ago the red meat allergy seemed to occur only in the southeastern United States. But recently the severe red meat allergies are occurring in new places (such as Minnesota and Long island, NY) - so it appears that either the area where this tick lives is spreading or other species of ticks are also now causing this allergy.

By the way, once a person has this allergy there is no cure, vaccine, or treatment other than avoiding red meat, treating the allergy symptoms, and carrying an EpiPen (just in case). It is also referred to as Alpha-Gal allergy syndrome because the allergy is to the sugar molecule commonly called alpha-gal which is found in red meat and some medications (such as the cancer drug cetuximab).

From Wired: OH, LOVELY: THE TICK THAT GIVES PEOPLE MEAT ALLERGIES IS SPREADING

First comes the unscratchable itching, and the angry blossoming of hives. Then stomach cramping, and—for the unluckiest few—difficulty breathing, passing out, and even death. In the last decade and a half, thousands of previously protein-loving Americans have developed a dangerous allergy to meat. And they all have one thing in common: the lone star tick. ...continue reading "Red Meat Allergies From A Tick Bite?"