Alpha-gal Syndrome: Video captures painful allergy symptoms in humans during tick season; ‘Can’t eat meat…’

The video showed an allergic reaction on his face. The post’s caption read: “A man becomes one of 450,000 Americans affected by alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne meat allergy that triggers painful allergic reactions to animal products.”

The man in the video says: “Look at my face and my neck. I can’t eat meat anymore. I can’t eat any animal products. It’s everywhere.” Watch video here.

Here’s everything you need to know about Alpha-gal syndrome and possible ways to prevent it.

This is an allergy to the Alpha-gal molecule (galactose-\(\alpha \)-1,3-galactose), which occurs naturally in most mammals but not humans. This Alpha-gal molecule is found in many types of red meat, e.g. beefpork and lamb. It is also found in milk and dairy products; as well as other animal products. This includes gelatin made from beef or pork or products made or cooked with mammalian fat.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Alpha-gal syndrome usually occurs when a tick bites and transfers its saliva into a person’s bloodstream. The body’s immune system can then recognize alpha-gal as a threat and trigger an allergic reaction. AGS is also called red meat allergy or tick bite allergy, according to CDC.

The CDC states that in the United States, most cases of AGS are caused by the bite of the lone star tick and, less commonly, by the bite of the black-legged tick or the western black-legged tick. It also noted that as many as 450,000 people across the United States may be affected. While AGS can occur at all ages, it primarily affects adults, according to the CDC.

The CDC also says the “best” way to protect yourself from AGS is to prevent tick bites.

They also note that equipment and clothing must be treated with products containing 0.5% permethrin. The CDC also recommends avoiding contact with ticks, staying away from tall grass and woody or brushy areas with fallen leaves, and walking in the center of trails. they also recommend Use “Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthol diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.”

However, those with alpha galactose syndrome must live with it. One of the people shared their experience with local news outlets. “It’s changed my life a lot. I’m trying to eat more of single, whole foods rather than foods with lots of different ingredients,” explain Allison Mangrum was once an avid hunter.

“I was actually really involved in the hunting industry, and I was actually on a TV show. I gave up all of that because I thought, if I can’t eat, then I’m definitely not going to hunt animals for fun. And then, there’s the fear of being bitten again, because if you get bitten again, it actually makes your reaction worse,” they added.