User:Mr. Ibrahem/Alpha-gal allergy
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alpha-gal allergy, also known as red meat allergy, is a type of allergic reaction that occurs after exposure to products containing alpha-gal, such as eating red meat.[1] Symptoms can include hives, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and abdominal pain.[1] Often onset is two to six hours after exposure.[1] Complications can include anaphylaxis.[1]
Alpha-gal allergy | |
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Other names | Red meat allergy, tick bite meat allergy, mammalian meat allergy, galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) syndrome[1][2] |
Reaction is triggered products that contain alpha-gel, such as roast beef | |
Specialty | Allergist |
Symptoms | Hives, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, abdominal pain[1] |
Usual onset | 2 to 6 hrs post exposure[1] |
Causes | Bites from certain types of ticks[1] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptom and blood tests[3] |
Prevention | Avoiding tick bites[1][4] |
Treatment | Avoiding products containing alpha-gel (meat and possibly dairy from mammals)[3][1] |
Medication | Epinephrine[5] |
Frequency | Uncommon[5] |
The condition is believed to be triggered by certain tick bites; such as lone star ticks in the USA, and paralysis ticks in Australia.[1][2] The underlying mechanism involves the body producing immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that react to the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).[6] Other factors that may worsen the reaction include alcohol, recent exercise, spices, and NSAIDs.[2] Diagnosis is based on symptom and testing IgE to alpha-gal blood levels.[3]
Management involves avoiding products that contain alpha-gel.[1] Often this means avoiding meat and possibly dairy from mammals.[3] In certain cases gelatin needs to also be avoided.[3] Medications that contain alpha-gal may include heparin and cetuximab.[6][7] In those who developed anaphylaxis epinephrine is used.[5] Further tick bites should be avoided, as this may worsen the condition.[1] Prevention is by avoiding tick bites, such as by treating clothing with permethrin and using DEET.[1][4]
Alpha-gal allergy has been reported in 17 countries on six continents.[2] In certain parts of Australia about 113 per 100,000 are affected, while about 13 per 100,000 have the condition in Virginia and 4 per 100,000 in certain parts of Germany.[2] The condition was first described in 2006 and 2007 by Sheryl van Nunen.[6][2]