Tick Bites, “Red Meat Allergy” and Alpha-gal Syndrome: What's the Connection?

Dr. Scott Commins is an expert in something called alpha-gal syndrome or AGS, which is often referred to as "red meat allergy" or "mammalian meat allergy." Strangely enough, AGS seems to be triggered by a tick bite. People who have eaten meat all their lives without any trouble suddenly become allergic after being bitten by a tick!. The reactions can be very different for different people, and some reactions are severe, even including anaphylactic shock. What's going on here? Check out the interview to find out!
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[@ryycarter1623]

I've had this for years ,doctors just don't get it

[@murielallardon3399]

Bonjour , je vis en France. diagnostic il y a un an complètement par hasard. En France, très très peu de médecins connaissent cette maladie inconnue. Je suis ravie d être tombée sur cette interview, merci, merci

[@sandyjohnson2740]

My Husband was diagnosed March 2023. He sees Dr Todd in Byrdstown, TN. He has changed his diet drastically. He is doing Vegan diet, at least we are trying. He was recently stung by yellow jackets & his previous 8 tick bites that he had since March 2023 were inflamed. We were lucky that he was able to get to his Dr asap. He received a steroid shot & is doing better. His recent AGS testing has doubled since March 2023. We are now waiting to see what the next plan is in store for him. If you don’t have an Epi Pen, get one. He has one but we have not had to use it.

[@UrbanDefensiveTactics]

Sand fleas and ticks Parris Island, SC. I was bitten thousands of times. We look like we have smallpox, by the time we graduate. This is not a new condition for military veterans, there just was no name for it. They lied and said it was exercise induced anaphylaxis. Yet, when I had my first attack, I had eaten at the mess hall on base. The VA doctors just write etymology unknown. There is no VA rating nor accepted nexus for Alpha Gal, even though we get bit more than anyone. We suffer because of ignorance and greed on the part DOD/VAMC. This research group should research veterans and help us by establish proof of service connection, looking at our records and doing current Alfa Gal testing. Also, maybe other conditions like G6PD make some more susceptible to it.

[@meanqkie2240]

They (F’ouchie)probably created it in a lab and introduced it there to test it out on the military.😡

[@maddy1502]

I live in Michigan and was just diagnosed with this last summer. I love seeing more information on this and it becoming more well known. I am extremely fume reactive as well which has impacted my ability to work certain places etc. Hoping to see Dr.Commins in person eventually. 🤞

[@gratefultedd969]

Suffer from this as well and acquired it in michigan also.

[@InsectShieldTech]

Thanks for sharing your story! We're hoping to help spread the word to more people like you that are looking for answers.

[@gratefultedd969]

@sigrimm kjarr hives and throat closing when ever i eat pork beef and venison. Seemed to get worse after not eating meat for 6 mo.s I tried eating pork again. The reaction was more delayed but pronounced Anaphylaxis. So far thats what I know.

[@maddy1502]

@sigrimm kjarr anaphylaxis

[@rosalbadelriogarcia9598]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oavHi2OZlr56sLs we still must watch out and carefully analyze the information we receive. The tick is native to the USA but the Condiction is not..... All the American Indians would have dropped dead... Maybe??

[@JaiJohnsonJaiArt]

Every medical professional here in Jackson Tennessee needs to watch and learn here. In my recent ER visit {not for AGS}, I saw *11* medical professionals, and you want to know how many knew what AGS is? ONE. Only because her cousin has it. Does she think it's just activates from eating meat? Yep {wrong!}. All the others I saw had NO CLUE about this allergy. Being that Tennessee is one of the states where Alpha Gal Syndrome is THE MOST PREVELANT, this lack of knowledge here is unacceptable. It's bad enough we probably have hundreds, if not more, walking around this town who have no clue they have this condition, but what's worse is the lack of knowledge among the very people who are supposed to help you and keep you safe.

[@christinegofmanas5795]

I so agree with you! I was at a cardiologist trying explain and he argued with me. Told me to move to an area where doctors are aware of it.

[@InsectShieldTech]

Yes, more information and knowledge around these topics is needed. It's always a good reminder to keep doing your tick checks and use proper tick repellent such as permethrin treated clothing and gear.

[@JaiJohnsonJaiArt]

@@InsectShieldTech I use your clothing most of the time! Wonderful stuff, and LOVE the no smell, since I'm very sensitive to chemicals. I wish you had some larger/looser pants options for us "fluffy" women. :) I know we can send in our own clothing...I just keep putting it off. I don't like any clothes that fit tight {like form fitting clothing}. That's just me, I feel constrained and like loose comfortable clothing when I'm out photographing wildlife 12 hours a day. I order the men's shirts because they are a bit heavier than the women's and not form fitting. I do have some of the leggings, which are very comfy, but no pockets are in those, and I need pockets for carrying phone, epi pen, keys, etc. The women's pants with pockets are mostly too tight for my waistline after wearing them for so long in the Tennessee heat and humidity.

[@gingerlee618]

same in Missouri.. my healthcare went into the toilet because the hospital I go to refuses to learn about it they even put my life at danger and I have nowhere to safely go if I have a medical emergency because again they refuse to educate on the disease ion my area

[@lyssagurl01]

Yes! My brother has been in the ER almost daily and the can’t seem to give him a straight answer

[@blackbass4u2c]

I believe mold can trigger Alpha gal sensitivity because of Hashimoto's disease.

[@debhubbard2970]

I kept waking up middle of night with intense itch. Thought the cats brought mites in. Changed all the bedding in middle of night. Washed all bedding and put in dryer for two hours to kill the bugs. Took shower. After doing this several nights cleaned out bedroom searching for the bugs. Cleanest waterbed and bedroom ever but itching at night didn’t stop

[@InsectShieldTech]

Sorry to hear that.

[@colleenwait]

I was just diagnosed a month ago. Frustrating

[@grammyg8x]

Lived in MI, where most doctors dont believe Lyme disease exists. Went undiagnosed for 18 months, rather misdiagnosed. Struggled ever since. I tested negative for AGS, but had LRA testing (allergy) due to many allergies and tested moderately reactive to Beef/veal, sugar/succanat, almonds, peaches, grapefruit. Strong reaction to Talapia and Casein (milk protein).

[@InsectShieldTech]

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing.

[@Tinyteacher1111]

What great information! I had never thought this was so prevalent, until my grown son manifested three types of tick bite infections from living in a moldy home with his father. I knew he had mold toxicity, because I had it before, but when he was tested, he did have mold toxicity, but also had Bartonella and Babesia. He feels like he’s dying! He has a doctor, and is on ivermectin. His brain is ready to burst! I’m scared. After he had Covid in January I’d when he developed this head pressure. I see you had Dr. Grid on your show and that’s awesome! I think we need to go from Michgan to New York to see her, or do a phone consultation with his specialist doctor. Thanks for making people aware of this! It’s so scary!

[@InsectShieldTech]

Thanks for sharing. More information and knowledge around these topics is key.

[@DaniS398]

I got diagnosed last month after my abdominal pain returned 2 years after having my gallbladder removed. When all the labs came back normal, I sort of mentioned it to the doc off handed (since I'm always pulling ticks off me when I come in from the garden) and that was it. sucks, that I have to change my diet but it is nice not being in pain all the time.

[@taylorh155]

I have your exact story. I finally found the right doctor, I was starting to think it was in my head.

[@barbarabryan1304]

So glad to see this info out here! Thank you so much for helping all of us who are just waking up to the realization of what is effecting us. I started having reactions in my late 30's with reaction hot dogs. And post menopause I had reaction to red meat by starting my period. Recently had a case of cross contamination with ground chicken that started my period again twice after eating it. My grandchild who lives with me is also struggling with symptoms that we just realized could be the culprit. Just starting the journey to correct.

[@davidciaschini2756]

I have had it for 4 years. First person in Massachusetts

[@InsectShieldTech]

Thanks for sharing.

[@UrbanDefensiveTactics]

QUESTION: What was it called BEFORE 2009??? What it did not exist before then? I think it did.

[@kylielouisiana310]

I suffer with AGS for 2 years from a tick bite here in Australia, and not much is known about it here

[@maenad1231]

It’s more common in Australia than anywhere else in the world. Not much is known everywhere. Earliest news reports about that I could find are from 2002ish and it wasn’t fully accepted medically until 2007ishb

[@Tinyteacher1111]

This is an update in a post I wrote a year ago: THANK YOU!!! We are looking for reasons for my adult son’s horrific physical and neuropsychiatric condition. This could be one of them. 🙏💫

[@craigmcclennen4485]

I have alpha Gal syndrome my is a red meat allergy. It was a big surprise to someone whose diet was 90 % beef. My reaction was hours later . My symptoms started slowly, with hives , then suddenly my throat closed off after a hamburger meal but , I had no idea that meal was why I couldn’t breathe. Fortunately for me the ER was 2 miles from my home . After that months of why , was diagnosed by the Oklahoma Allergy Clinic

[@InsectShieldTech]

Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry to hear that.

[@calebbowen3433]

I had gi problems for 5 years. My gall bladder just stopped functioning when I was 15, I then developed severe bile reflux. My stomach would fill up and not release the bile it was holding. Four years after that, I developed random hives and my heart and kidneys started to be strained, and I was in hypertension 2. I was sent to an allergist again as a long shot, and they found I had alpha gal and had been going in and out of anaphylaxis causing some of my resent kidney symptoms.

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

Great details to better understand this. 💯

[@InsectShieldTech]

👍

[@christinegofmanas5795]

West Tennessee Needs help educating medical professionals. Not on medical professional I’ve had to see is aware.

[@InsectShieldTech]

More information and education is needed around these topics to better help and support people going through these types of issues.

[@lyssagurl01]

My brother has been struggling for the past 3 months with having swelling in his face and throat causing him to be in the ER almost everyday. Our local hospital can’t seem to figure out if it’s alpha gal or something else. He has definitely been bit by hundreds of ticks as he’s and outdoorsman. His condition is severe and I feel horrible because he feels helpless.

[@calebbailey571]

I understand that as well. I was diagnosed with AGS over 3 years ago, but I was always outside with family and have been to the NE part of the US. Mostly to see family, but once identified, you’ll have to see what is causing the reaction and then find alternatives to get around what you can and cannot eat due to this allergy.

[@jesseskellington9427]

Can you please add the resources to the description below the video. Please and thank you 😊

[@InsectShieldTech]

We will try to add more resources if we are able, but you can always check our blog for more infromation - www.insectshield.com/blogs/blog/tick-bites-red-meat-allergy-and-alpha-gal-syndrome

[@schtucka78]

I found a tick in my belly button in 2004, been sick ever since. Now..2023, I have tested positive for Alpha-Gal syndrome after multiple anaphylaxic episodes. After every dr visit, I've walked away feeling crazy and even now my allergist(whom ordered and received my results)seems uninterested in learning about this syndrome. He said" just don't eat red meat". I have never been a regular consumer of red meat anyhow,but I also left this last appointment feeling defeated.

[@mick5740]

What kind of tick and where?

[@schtucka78]

@mick5740 I never thought to try to figure out what type of tick this was at the time, but it happened in Eustis Florida.

[@johnmathaga8775]

I usually perceive and relate alpha-gal syndrome to red meat allergies as twins!!!

[@matthewbeck5680]

Can you get it from eating red meat of an animal that has been bitten by an infected tick?

[@heeheecats]

I was diagnosed in August and I have both types

[@heeheecats]

(sugar and protein)

[@bluesb52]

i have this allergy and i am always having to explaine doctor about this allergy.and mall i have talked to have never heard of it still and i've had it scence 2009.

[@InsectShieldTech]

Thanks for sharing

[@AndrewCasad]

I’m confused as the mechanism for dairy sensitivity. Isn’t alpha-gal carbohydrate only in the flesh?

[@maryhill6723]

wife with history of allergies and seizures. Now seems to have a trigger for seizures that is related to physical activity. Has periods of high heart rate. Occasionally trouble swallowing. She has anaphlactic responses to eggs, and avoids dairy. We eat lots of beef. Will be trying to correlate and look at ALPHA Gal as a cause. Can you help us.

[@tonkathebully2095]

How do you know what manufactures for meds to use because my mom has Alphagal and is allergic to antibiotics. Other maintenance meds contain animal products

[@InsectShieldTech]

The best thing to do is to consult with your doctor to go over medication options.

[@Thefroggang101]

My question is how long after a tick bite will you start experiencing AGS , I removed two lone star ticks from my 8 year old, 3 days ago and I'm freaking out

[@DJNAZZZZTY]

I heard on another channel 3-8 hrs after eating red meat the symptoms will come on

[@lauraremsky2412]

I got a tick bite from one over 10 years ago and no one had a clue what it was. Then went to the allergist as the last resort because I was so sick all of the time. I didn't know what I could eat. The symptoms usually take anywhere from 20 minutes to the middle of the night and I mean the stomach pain is worse than the flu. Nothing calms it down. I didn't just get 1 of the symptoms I got them all and almost had my throat close up. Just monitor him and if he develops any type of symptoms take him to the ER. It can get bad pretty quick.

[@sharonstanley259]

My question is why the tick? If dogs, cats, and other small animals carry this AG molecule, why would their bites not cause the AGS IN HUMANS?

[@InsectShieldTech]

Some carriers aren't always able to infect others even though they might have the germs in them.

[@vickijd22]

I was bitten by a Lone Star tick about 8 weeks ago, and it remains very itchy. I went out to a burger place 2 days ago & a couple of hours later, I got very bad heartburn, which is something that I have almost never had in my life. I am wondering if I can have this?

[@InsectShieldTech]

If you think this might be the case, we recommend going to a doctor who understands tick-borne illnesses and getting their opinion.

[@vickijd22]

Went to an allergist today here in NJ. He completely dismissed any correlation between this & dairy allergy and said that reaction to fumes & such are basically bs! He said it is just eating those particular meats. 🫤

[@debraemig417]

I know someone who got the red meat allergy from a tick bite, he gets extremely ill. BUT...HE CAN EAT VENISON ! 10:15pm. Pennsylvania.