Alpha-Gal syndrome & meat allergy/The "bullies of the tick world" are on the hunt

[cbabe]

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444908/fresh-air

Audio at link

JULY 1, 2026
The “bullies of the tick world” are on the hunt

The lone star tick seeks out its blood meal and transmits a potentially dangerous allergy to red meat. ‘New Yorker’ staff writer Burkhard Bilger talks with Terry Gross about his reporting on the tick-borne alpha-gal syndrome, and how doctors, scientists and pest control experts are responding.

//

The New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com › magazine › 2026 › 07 › 06 › the-tick-that-hunts-down-its-hosts-including-us

The Tick That Hunts Down Its Hosts—Including Us - The New Yorker

Lone-star ticks don't just pursue and bite people. The affliction they're spreading, an allergy to red meat known as alpha-gal syndrome, attacks a way …
//

https://www.cdc.gov/alpha-gal-syndrome/about/index.html

About Alpha-gal Syndrome

EST. 450,000 infected people

…

Most healthcare providers recommend patients with AGS stop eating meat from mammals, such as beef, pork, lamb, venison, or rabbit. Some patients need to eliminate other sources of alpha-gal, such as dairy and certain medications. Patients can work with their healthcare provider to determine which sources of alpha-gal should be avoided.

…

Some medications and vaccines may contain alpha-gal-containing additives, stabilizers, or coatings.

…

Animal-derived medical products, such as heart valves from pigs or cows, monoclonal antibodies, heparin, and certain antivenoms may contain alpha-gal.

… more …

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Something more to worry about. /nt

[cbabe]

2. Super nasty disease. Carry epi pen. Also soy allergy. Try eating avoiding soy.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. In 1999 soy was going to save the world!!

Now it's avoid soy protein isolate. Not sure what that is, or if it has other names.

U're right, soy is in everything .... have to carry reading glasses to go shopping.

[cbabe]

5. THERE'S SOY IN THAT? OTHER NAMES FOR SOY AND COMMON HIDING PLACES

https://naturallyliz.com/other-names-for-soy-and-common-hiding-places/

THERE’S SOY IN THAT? OTHER NAMES FOR SOY AND COMMON HIDING PLACES

…

The following ingredients should be investigated before using:

Broth Vegetable Cellulose
Citric Acid Vegetable Glycerin
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP) Vegetable Gum
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) Vegetable Oil
Lecithin Vegetable Shortening
Natural Flavors, Natural Flavorings Vegetable Starch
Stabilizers Vitamin E (Tocopheryl, dl alpha tocopheryl acetate, tocopherols)
Thickening Agents Xanthan Gum
SPECIAL NOTES

Natural Flavors: Natural Flavors is kind of a catchall phrase that could include pretty much anything. Anytime Natural Flavors is listed, I do additional checking to make the the item is soy free.

Guar Gum: Guar Gum can contain up to 10% soy. Need to check this ingredient if you are highly sensitive.

Xanthan Gum: Xanthan Gum can be derived from corn, wheat or soy.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E may be derived from many different sources. However, soy seems to be the most common source. Look for Vitamin E derived from Sunflower. In personal care products, I like to use sunflower oil as it is a good source of vitamin E.

… lots more…

[bucolic_frolic]

7. That's a useful link, thanks! /nt

[cbabe]

8. It's a little out of date. So do a search if you don't know the ingredient

The old ‘if you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.’

[hlthe2b]

3. I am so damned tired of gently reminding those around me to use mosquito/tick repellent

For me it is WNV, which will be at record levels nationwide and which is already infecting. If I hear one more (almost always a GUY) tell me that mosquitoes don't bite them, I will have to pull out a "tongue-extractor" which is just what it sounds like! So, said the first fatality (neuroinvasive WNV encephalitis) in my county this year, according to his family. "Never use the stuff because they never bite me!"

And while Colorado does not have the major numbers of Lone Star Ticks that are linked to Alpha Gal syndrome, it is coming--we certainly have plenty of other pathogen-transmitting ticks.

If you are in the South, the Southeast, The Middle Atlantic States, the Northeast, the Upper Midwest, The Midwest and are not using tick/flea/mosquito repellents for yourself, your dog, your cats (and similar for livestock), you are fucking nuts. With climate change, the amount of pathogens, whether parasites, viruses, bacteria, rickettsia or immune-inducing serious conditions transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and the larval forms of flies, you may as well buy stock in these repellents and impregnated clothing if you want to be able to enjoy the outside again--and I DO. We are going to have to coexist with these serious pests, so may as well get used to it and learn how to protect yourself, your animals, your family. Think you, who never goes hiking or mows the lawn or your declared "indoor only" cat is safe? I've got news for you. You are not and they are not. Not from ticks, fleas, (heartworm from mosquitoes) or any other pathogen that can and DO come inside.

[C_U_L8R]

6. And beware the Lone Star nymphs

You may not get Alpha Gal but you’ll have hundreds of the itchiest bites you’ve ever had and they will last for months. MONTHS!

[mwmisses4289]

9. According to the Wikipedia article on Alpha-gal syndrome,

the lone star tick is not the only one to cause this, only the best known.

"Alpha-gal allergies develop after a person has been bitten by the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) or the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the United States,[68] the European castor bean tick, the paralysis tick or Ixodes (Endopalpiger) australiensis in Australia,[40][28] Haemaphysalis longicornis in Japan,[69] or a currently unknown tick in South Africa, possibly Amblyomma hebraeum.[70][71]"

My understanding is that it started being noticed in the 1980s (that's when my issues with meat started).
I really miss a nice steak or burger made with beef!