Tips for Preventing Alpha-gal Syndrome

I once read a social media post from someone in the outdoors industry that referenced an allergy to red meat called alpha-gal syndrome. I immediately thought to myself “How horrible”! I pride myself on being a meat-eater, especially red meat. I have been eating beef my whole life, was born and raised in Wisconsin, and now a hunter myself and enjoying meals of venison and elk regularly.

There is a plethora of information on the internet regarding prevention but there is no cure. The Mayo Clinic defines alpha-gal as a syndrome stating it “is a recently identified type of food allergy to red meat and other products made from mammals”. The article lists beef, pork, and lamb as red meats-think mammals. The article goes on to say that if someone is suffering from undiagnosed allergies, by skin testing they may discover they have alpha-gal.

Who can get it? Anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Currently, the primary suspect for passing alpha-gal in the United States is the Lone Star Tick with the runner up being chiggers. The tick/chigger bites you, transfers a sugar molecule, and your body, if functioning normally, triggers an immune reaction. An allergic response is not immediate, but the allergic reaction can increase in severity.  As with more common allergies such as peanut or bee stings, someone with alpha-gal may require the use of an Epi-pen at some point.

Want to avoid getting Alpha-gal syndrome? Continue reading Victoria Tavares's article here.

마지막 업데이트

October 19, 2024

작성자
사진 썸네일 블로그 작성자

미스 추격전

미스 추격전의 미디어 언급

미스 퍼슈트의 목적은 간단합니다: 독자들을 위해 전문적으로 큐레이션되고 맞춤 제작된 유용하고 영감을 주는 콘텐츠를 통해 정보와 영감의 온라인 허브를 만들어 여성들이 특별한 아웃도어 라이프스타일을 추구하도록 영감을 주는 것입니다.

더 많은 콘텐츠 살펴보기

미디어 언급

A favorite of ultralight hikers, backpackers, bikers, and travelers, the Sawyer Squeeze filter is the gold standard in water filters for anyone concerned about weight and universal compatibility.

Scott Gilbertson
Senior Writer and Reviewer

미디어 언급

In the morning before getting to the park, I applied insect repellent (Picaridin lotion by Sawyer).

Julie, Earth Trekkers
Author and Photographer

미디어 언급

A Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system that blows any other system out of the — say it with me — water.

Rachel Dunkel
Freeland Writer