An alarming number of people in Martha’s Vineyard have developed Alpha-gal syndrome in the last few years. This rare, but increasingly common disease is caused by Lone Star Tick bites. Some tick bites can cause allergies to red meat, dairy, or other animal products containing alpha-gal. An alpha-gal allergic reaction can begin 2-6 hours after consumption of food with alpha-gal. The only remedy for people with this condition is avoiding products containing alpha-gal.
To avoid allergic reactions, many people with the syndrome have adopted vegan diets. To accommodate the growing number of vegans in the community, “alpha-gal friendly” options have popped up in restaurants throughout Martha’s Vineyard. The situation in Martha’s Vineyard echos a nationwide problem with the tick-borne disease. As many as 500,000 Americans may now be living with alpha-gal syndrome, research shows.
Symptoms of alpha gal syndrome, which can range from mild to severe, can include:
- Swelling in the face, lips, throat or eyelids.
- Hives and itchy skin.
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
- Digestive problems
The best defense against alpha-gal is to avoid getting bitten in the first place. You can reduce your risk of tick bites with a few preventive measures:
- Avoiding place where ticks tend to live, like wooded or bushy areas with high grass. When hiking, try to stay toward the middle of the trail, away from the edges.
- When in wooded areas, wear shoes and long pants that tuck into your socks, as well as a long-sleeved shirt and a hat and gloves. You can also use bug spray containing at least 20% of the ingredient DEET.
- Check yourself and your loved ones for ticks immediately after returning from outside
- Shower as soon as you come inside. Ticks usually don’t attach strongly to your skin right away, so you have a chance to remove them if you shower quickly enough.
For more information, see: Mayo Clinic
