Key takeaways:
~ Tick bites can cause some people to make IgE antibodies to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).
~ Some people with alpha-gal IgE antibodies have gastrointestinal reactions, hives, or even anaphylaxis a few hours after eating meat.
~ The delayed allergic reaction can make it difficult to pinpoint the source of the reaction, leading to misdiagnosis and many frustrating allergic reactions.
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Lifehacks:
If you think you have alpha-gal syndrome, your doctor can help you with alpha-gal IgE testing and with good advice for your specific situation. For some people, an epi-pen or other rescue measures are needed. Your doctor can also help with prescribing oral antihistamines or cromolyn sodium.
Having had a recent tick bite is usually a prerequisite for developing AGS, but a lot of times you can have a tick bite and not know it. Seed ticks are the larvae of ticks that are about the size of a poppy seed and hard to spot. Sometimes what you think are chigger bites could be caused by seed ticks. [ref]
Testing for alpha-gal IgE:
Your doctor can order a test for alpha-gal IgE (>0.1 IU/mL). If you can’t get in to see your doctor, it’s possible to order the test on your own in most states in the US. Depending on your insurance, sometimes it is cheaper to order the test on your own and then take the results to your doctor. Here are some testing options to get you started: UltaLab ($149 for a panel including other meat allergens plus alpha-gal IgE), Walk in Lab ($198 alpha-gal IgE), RequestATest ($109 alpha-gal IgE).
Keep in mind that people can have alpha-gal IgE levels without symptoms. Talk to your doctor about whether further challenges, such as eating a meal high in fatty pork, are needed for diagnosis. Sometimes a history of reactions is enough for diagnosis, but others may need to do a challenge meal while in a medical setting to prevent anaphylaxis.[ref]
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