Meat allergy from tick bites is on the rise—and US doctors are in the dark
Meat allergy from tick bites is on the rise—and US doctors are in the dark
The allergy, called alpha-gal syndrome, came to light a little over a decade ago.
The allergy, called alpha-gal syndrome, came to light a little over a decade ago.
The interesting part:
But, in recent years, researchers have also discovered that alpha-gal is in tick saliva. And, for reasons researchers still haven't worked out, some people bitten by ticks develop a type of antibody called anti-alpha-gal IgE. This antibody may help protect people from tick bites, but it also renders them allergic to anything with alpha-gal—i.e., mammalian meat and animal products. It's a double-edged sword that has been hypothesized to be an "allergic klendusity."
PETA Bioweaponry!
I found a chart from Alpha-Gal Information that lists the products that those with alpha-gal syndrome might have allergic reactions to; of note is that some have reactions to gelatin, which is present in many medicines including gel-caps.
ouch. the gelatin is tough nutrition wise.