Alpha-gal Syndrome (Red Meat Allergy)
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an allergic condition that can occur after a tick bite. Symptoms appear after consuming products containing galctose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (or alpha-gal for short). AGS is also known as the red meat allergy because alpha-gal is found in red meat and products made from mammals. In the United States, AGS is primarily associated with the lone star tick which is rarely found in Minnesota. MDH continues to monitor lone star tick distribution in the state and is assessing ways to understand how many people in Minnesota are affected by AGS. The best way to reduce your risk of developing AGS and prevent tickborne diseases, like Lyme disease, is to prevent tick bites.
Think you found a lone star tick? Mail us the tick and one of our tick experts will identify it and let you know what it is. Visit Tick Monitoring to learn more.