Unfortunately, the allergy with any extra tick bite or exposure to food or products that contain Alfa-Gal can increase in seriousness.
The Lone Star Tick is not the only one who can cause Alpha-Gal syndrome. Black -legged ticks are also connected to suitcases.
Credit: US Army
The Lone Star Tick is not the only one who can cause Alpha-Gal syndrome. Black -legged ticks are also connected to suitcases.
Credit: US Army
If you think you have Alfa-Gal Syndrome
If you suspect that you may have Alfa-Gal syndrome, the first step is to discuss the possibility with your doctor and ask them to order a simple blood test to measure whether your immune system will respond to Alfa-Gal.
If you test positive, the most important strategy for managing the allergy is not eating food product from a mammal, including milk and cheese, as well as other potential triggers, such as more tick bites.
Read labels carefully. Some products contain additives such as Carrageen, which is derived from red algae and contains Alfa-Gal.
In extreme cases, people with Alfa-Gal syndrome may have to wear an epipen to prevent anaphylactic shock. Renowned websites, such as the CDC and Alphagalinformation.org, can provide more information and advice.
Mysteries remain like Alpha-Gal syndrome spreads
Because Alpha-Gal syndrome was formally documented in the early 2000s, scientists made progress in understanding this enigmatic situation. Researchers have connected the allergy to specific tick bites and discovered that people with the allergy can have a higher risk of heart disease, even without allergy symptoms.
But there are important mysteries.
Scientists still come out exactly how the tick bite treasures the human immune system and why the saliva is a trigger for only some people. With the growing public interest in Alfa-Gal Syndrome, the following decade could bring breakthroughs in preventing, diagnosing and treatment of this condition.
For now, the next time you stroll in the forest or in a long grass, don't forget to check for ticks on your body, wear long sleeves, long pants and tap anti -aircraft arches to protect yourself against these bloodthirsty lifts. If you are bitten by a tick, watch out for strange allergic symptoms that appear a few hours after your next steak or a handful of gum -like bears.
Lee Rafuse Haines is Associate Research Professor of Molecular Parasitology and Medical Entomology at the University of Notre Dame.
This article is re -published from the conversation under a license for Creative Commons. Read the original article.
