If you're planning to go on a vacation in the outdoors this summer, you might want to bring along a few more bug sprays and insect repellents. Health experts have warned of a rare form of illness transmitted through tick bites that could make you allergic to meat.
The Alpha-Gal allergy is caused when the body suffers an adverse reaction to the galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose sugar molecule. During such an event, the body is overloaded with immunoglobulin E antibodies whenever it comes into contact with this carbohydrate.
The illness is most commonly transmitted through tick bites, particularly those of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). This bug is indigenous to areas in the eastern United States and Mexico. People who are bitten by the lone star tick often don't feel any pain, allowing the insect to remain attached to its host and feed on its blood for days.
"You're walking through the woods, and that tick has had a meal of cow blood or mammal blood," allergy expert Cosby Stone from Vanderbilt University explained.
"The tick, carrying Alpha-Gal, bites you and activates your allergy immune system."
What Happens When I Get Bitten By An Alpha-Gal Carrier Tick?
According to Stone, people bitten by a carrier tick won't be able to experience any symptoms of the illness right away. There is a time delay in the allergic reaction because the Alpha-Gal molecule still has to make its way to the gastrointestinal tract, where it will then be released.
Once the allergic reaction sets in, the body will create specific antibodies to seek out the Alpha-Gal carbohydrate. From then on, the body will be wired to fight the sugar molecules.
The reaction is often triggered after the patient eats meat or poultry, which is high in Alpha-Gal content. The sugar molecule can also be found in certain medications that make use of gelatins as stabilizers.
Those afflicted with the illness wake up with hives or skin rash hours after having been bitten. Other symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, asthma, headaches, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Some patients also develop anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that restricts the person's breathing and could lead to death.
Stone said there have been cases where sufferers had to be given life support because their blood pressure fell so low that it endangered their lives.
He explained that most people with Alpha-Gal allergy are not even aware that they have the condition. They often have to experience repeated allergic reactions first before they realize that it might be linked to their diet.
Experts also warn about repeated exposure to tick bites since it could worsen how severe the allergic reaction would be. The most serious symptoms of the illness were seen in people who developed more Alpha-Gal antibodies following multiple exposure to carrier ticks.
So far, there are no known cures or vaccines for Alpha-Gal allergy. Available treatments can only address its known side effects.
How Can I Avoid Alpha-Gal Carrier Ticks?
While it's always good to be mindful of tick bites all year round, you should be extra careful during the months of April to September. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is often the time when ticks and other disease-carrying insects are most active.
Here are some tips to avoid disease-carrying ticks:
If you're going outdoors, you should avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass where ticks and other insects tend to flock. Try to walk in the center of trails when going for hikes.
Make sure to apply necessary insect repellents to your body when you step outside. Choose products that contain DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to protect your skin from insect bites. Always follow the application instructions on the product label.
Consider treating your clothing and gear with permethrin. Some clothing items have already been treated with the insecticide.
Take a shower or bath after coming indoors. This will allow you to check and wash off your body if you've come into contact with ticks.
Make sure to check your clothing and gear as well since ticks can also attach themselves to them when you're outdoors.
Tumble dry your clothes in the dryer on high heat for about 10 minutes to kill off ticks on your clothing.
