How Serious is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne illness, is becoming more widely known. Is this a serious tick illness?

You might have heard about alpha-gal syndrome, also called AGS, over the last few years here in the Fort Worth area. With increased tick activity and reports of this illness becoming more prevalent, it’s smart to inform ourselves about how an alpha-gal diagnosis might affect our lives. It’s very wise to understand the best ways to avoid such a diagnosis.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome Can Be a Serious Illness

AGS can be a serious tick-borne affliction. It’s an allergic reaction that is triggered after being bitten by a tick, the lone star tick being the most common culprit. When this tick bites, it can transfer a sugar molecule, called alpha-gal, into the body. Thereafter, when the afflicted person eats mammalian meat, like beef, pork, lamb, or venison, their immune system might react to alpha-gal that is naturally found in the meat. What’s more, animal byproducts, like gelatin, milk, broth or bullion, and even medications derived from animals can elicit a reaction.

This reaction might begin months after being bitten by the tick and can range from mild to severe.

What Makes Alpha-Gal Syndrome Potentially Serious?

AGS, like other food allergies, can be at least a life-altering condition. Those with a positive diagnosis must avoid meats and meat byproducts to minimize their chances of showing symptoms. Also akin to other types of allergies, symptoms range in severity and type from one person to the other.

Alpha-gal symptoms include:

• Itchy skin and hives
• Swelling of the face, including the lips, tongue, and throat
• Stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms typically show up between two and eight hours after consuming an offending food or byproduct, making a diagnosis tricky. This is especially true if a person isn’t aware that they have ever been bitten by a tick in the first place. It’s also tricky, because many people attribute their symptoms to botulism or a stomach virus.

Those diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome will require guidance from a medical professional, usually consisting of controlling their diet. However, in some cases an Epi-pen might be necessary.

AGS FACT: One death resulting from AGS was recently confirmed – the first known death from the allergy.

Why AGS Deserves Attention in Fort Worth

Alpha-Gal syndrome is not a prevalent tick-borne diagnosis here in the Fort Worth area, with most cases having been reported in other parts of the United States. However, our warm climate and wooded habitats are ideal for tick survival, including lone star ticks. If you partake in a lot of outdoor activities, or work outdoors, you are at increased risk for tick bite exposure – thereby being at a higher risk for tick-borne illnesses, like AGS.

Reducing your risk of contracting any tick-borne illness equates to reducing your risk of exposure. When hiking, camping, or working outdoors, an EPA-registered tick repellent is highly recommended. Wearing long sleeves and pants will also help reduce your risk. Check yourself, your kids, and your pets after spending time outdoors.

At your home or business, call on Mosquito Squad of Fort Worth for our highly effective tick control treatments!

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Mosquito Squad of Fort Worth brings expertise and professionalism, and is committed to exceptional customer service to every job we undertake. Get in touch with us online or call (817) 835-8694 for tick yard treatments near me.

Also read: Why Are There So Many Pests Close to My Home in the Fall?