Managing Alpha-gal Syndrome

Key points

  • Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergy that can occur after a tick bite.
  • There are no vaccines to prevent AGS.
  • Manage symptoms by avoiding foods and products that contain alpha-gal, preventing future tick bites, and getting urgent care when needed.
Woman with doctor discussing itchy skin symptoms

Everyday life

If you have been diagnosed with AGS, you and your allergist or other healthcare provider can successfully manage your symptoms to prevent additional allergic reactions.

  • Identify and avoid products containing alpha-gal.
  • Prevent future tick bites. New tick bites may reactivate allergic reactions to alpha-gal.
  • Work with an allergist or other healthcare provider to learn how to prepare for an allergic reaction and to recognize anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction involving multiple organ systems.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider before taking a new medication or receiving a vaccine. Although very rare, some people with severe AGS may react to ingredients in certain vaccines and medications.

Some people with AGS who avoid additional tick bites may be able to tolerate exposure to alpha-gal containing products again. This is an individualized medical decision. Get guidance from your healthcare provider.

Video: When a Tick Bite Causes a Red Meat Allergy

"I remember waking up in the middle of the night and feeling really weird... lightheaded, like I was going to fall over, and eventually I was covered in hives."

A father talks about the delayed symptoms of AGS, his struggles to gain correct diagnosis, and how he’s managing his condition through diet and preventing tick bites.

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Things to avoid

Most healthcare providers recommend patients with AGS stop eating meat from mammals, such as beef, pork, lamb, venison, or rabbit. Food products that contain milk and milk products may also contain alpha-gal. Some people with AGS may also be sensitive to alpha-gal in gelatin and other products made or cooked with mammal fat.

Work with your healthcare provider to understand which products containing alpha-gal you should avoid. People with AGS might not react to every product containing alpha-gal, and some people can experience different symptoms or reactions each time they are exposed to alpha-gal, even when it is the same product.

Keep Reading Fast Facts: Products That May Contain Alpha-gal

Prevent future tick bites

Prevent tick bites because new tick bites may reactivate allergic reactions to alpha-gal.

  • Wear clothing and gear treated with 0.5% permethrin.
  • Shower and check your body for ticks after coming indoors.

Tips on using permethrin

Woman treating clothing and gear with permethrin.
Treat clothing and gear with permethrin. Wearing treated items will help protect you from tick bites. Watch What You Need to Know About Permethrin.

Emergency care

AGS reactions and symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some may be life-threatening.

When to seek emergency care

Seek immediate emergency care if you are having a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction involving multiple organ systems.

Your healthcare provider may have prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g. “EpiPen”) or epinephrine nasal spray. Work with your healthcare provider to learn how to use the products. Ask your healthcare provider how to prepare for an allergic reaction and to recognize anaphylaxis. People who need to use epinephrine auto-injectors or nasal sprays should still seek emergency care.

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)