What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome and How Can You Help Prevent It?

Have you ever eaten a hamburger or steak and felt sick hours later, maybe even experienced hives, stomach pain, or trouble breathing? If so, it might not be food poisoning or a regular allergy. You could be dealing with something called Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Mosquito Squad of Lexington, KY, is here to help with professional tick control to help reduce your risk of tick-borne illness.

What Is Alpha-Gal?

Alpha-Gal is a sugar found in red meat like beef, pork, and lamb. It’s not dangerous to most people, but for some, the body reacts badly to it, kind of like it does with peanuts or shellfish. When someone develops Alpha-Gal Syndrome, eating red meat or even some products made from animals can cause an allergic reaction. But here’s the strange part: most people don’t develop this allergy out of nowhere. It usually starts after being bitten by atick.

How Does a Tick Cause an Allergy to Meat?

The tick that causes Alpha-Gal Syndrome is called the lone star tick. It lives in the southeastern U.S., including here in Lexington, Kentucky, where there are many types of ticks. When the lone star tick bites you, it can put the Alpha-Gal sugar into your body. After that, your immune system can react to Alpha-Gal, and you might have symptoms like:

• Itchy skin or hives
• Upset stomach or vomiting
• Swelling of the face or lips
• Trouble breathing
• Feeling dizzy or faint

Not everyone has the same symptoms, and they don’t always happen right away. That’s why this allergy can be hard to spot at first.

How Do You Know If You Have Alpha-Gal?

Doctors can test your blood to see if your body reacts to Alpha-Gal. If it does, they might tell you to stop eating certain foods. That includes red meat, but it can also mean being careful with things like dairy products and sausage or bacon made from pork. People with Alpha-Gal can also carry medicine in case they have a serious reaction. There’s no quick fix for Alpha-Gal, but avoiding tick bites is the best way to stop the allergy from getting worse; that’s why tick control is so important.

Tick Control in Lexington, KY

Here in Lexington and the surrounding areas, Mosquito Squad is helping families protect themselves from ticks and the health risks that come with them. Mosquito Squad’s tick and mosquito control treatments make your yard more enjoyable. Our professional treatments go around your yard to target mosquitoes and ticks and help keep them away for up to three weeks. We focus on areas where ticks like to hide, like tall grass, woodpiles, and shady spots. With our regular treatments every 3 weeks during the season, we return to help keep your yard protected all summer long. We also offer special event sprays that are great for events like barbecues or birthday parties.

Take Back Your Yard and Your Peace of Mind

Alpha-Gal Syndrome is a serious condition, but the good news is that you can reduce your risk by avoiding tick bites and utilizing professional tick control. Mosquito Squad of Lexington is here to help with proven, reliable treatments that keep your outdoor spaces comfortable. Call today or visit our site to schedule your first treatment!