If you've been suffering allergic reactions and have recently been given the diagnosis of Alpha-Gal syndrome, part of you may be relieved that you finally know what is causing your reaction... but another part of you may feel like your head is spinning. Alpha-Gal syndrome, which is also called mammal meat allergy, is caused by the bite of a tick with saliva that contains galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, which is a sugar molecule. This causes the body's immune system to create antibodies, which can lead to severe allergic reactions any time your body is exposed to the sugar molecule, including life-threatening anaphylaxis.
With your diagnosis, it's crucial that you take measures to protect your health. Here are a few things to do.
Keep an Emergency Kit With You
If you haven't already been given a prescription for an EpiPen, call your physician now and ask for one. An EpiPen delivers life-saving medication in the event that you go into anaphylaxis. Keep the EpiPen with you at all times, preferably in an emergency kit with other necessities, including antihistamines and important contact information. You should also get two medical alert bracelets, one to wear and the other to place on your emergency kit.
Develop a Nutrition Plan
Your Alpha-Gal allergy can be controlled by avoiding certain foods, including red meat, gelatin, milk, and milk products. Safe foods for you are chicken, turkey, duck, fish, shrimp, and fruits and vegetables. It's important for you to understand how to read labels so you can safely avoid foods that contain the sugar molecule you are allergic to. To get a complete understanding, consult with a nutritionist or dietitian for meal planning.
Avoid Fumes
Fumes can also cause an allergic reaction. Fumes from bacon sizzling in a frying pan, from hamburgers cooking on a grill, and from cheese and other milk products being cooked can also cause you to have an allergic reaction. This can make it extremely difficult for you to go to restaurants. Because of this, it's a good idea to be evaluated for how sensitive you are to Alpha-Gal.
Educate Yourself
Find as much information as you can to educate yourself on how to avoid your allergen. There are websites that focus solely on Alpha-Gal syndrome, as well as research published on the National Institutes of Health website. Keep abreast of new information on a regular basis, as more research is being done due to this condition being newly discovered.