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Meat Allergy

Lyme disease isn’t the only reason to avoid tick bites: a bite from a certain kind of tick can cause you to develop an allergic reaction to red meat.  A meat allergy, like any allergy, is when your immune system identifies something you come in contact with as harmful. If you’re allergic to and eat red meat, alpha-gal—a type of sugar in red meat—causes your immune system to release histamines, which then cause your allergy symptoms. An allergy to meat could result in anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Meat allergy fact
 

How It Happens

This allergy has been traced to a type of sugar found in red meat called alpha-gal. When a certain tick bites you, it can transmit alpha-gal into your bloodstream. Your body isn’t used to encountering alpha-gal and as a result, you can develop an allergic response to it. Then, when you eat red meat (which can have the same alpha-gal sugar) you could have an allergic reaction.

Ticks that are linked to developing a red meat allergy are the Lone Star tick in the US, the European castor bean tick, and the Australian paralysis tick.1 Red meat allergy is increasingly common in areas of Australia and the United States, where tick populations are large, but can happen anywhere in the world where there are ticks.2 If you believe you may have a red meat or alpha-gal mediated allergy, you should talk to your healthcare professional about a blood test.

Red meat and tick bug infographic
 

Meat allergy symptoms

A meat allergy is different from other food allergies because the response is delayed. It can take anywhere from 3-6* hours after eating meat for symptoms to occur.3-4  

Common symptoms of a meat allergy can include:    

  • Skin rash/hives
  • Digestive symptoms (e.g. stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea)
  • Intense itching
  • Shortness of breath

*Up to 24 hours have been reported    

Anaphylaxis warning

Since the reaction is so delayed, the condition is often missed or misdiagnosed. Reactions can also range from mild to severe, including the life-threatening reaction anaphylaxis.

Learn more about anaphylaxis >

 

Meat allergy triggers

Fish, chicken, and turkey meat do not contain alpha-gal sugar.

The more meat you eat, and the fattier the cut, the higher the probability is that you will have a reaction.5 Some people with a meat allergy may also need to avoid gelatins, which can be found in desserts, gummy candy and medical infusion products.6

People with a meat allergy should avoid all kinds of meat including:

  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Goat
  • Bison
  • Venison
 
Am I Allergic?

Am I allergic?

Many people are so confused by—and being embarrassed by—their uncomfortable symptoms that they never consider asking for help. Because of the significant delay between eating meat and your allergic reaction, it can be difficult to connect the cause to your symptoms. And it is also important to distinguish a red meat allergy from allergies to chicken and turkey, to know which meats need to be excluded from the diet.

So, how do you know if your symptoms are caused by a meat allergy or not? If you think you or a loved one has a meat allergy, don’t try to manage the problem on your own. A simple blood test can help identify underlying allergen triggers, if you have an allergy. Knowing if you’re allergic and what you’re allergic to can help get you relief. Be sure to consult with your healthcare professional.

 

Get answers

References
  1. Van Nunen, SA et al. An association between tick bite reactions and red meat allergy in humans Med J Aust. 2009;190 (9): 510–511. 
  2. Van Nunen, S. Tick-induced allergies: mammalian meat allergy, tick anaphylaxis and their significance. Asia Pac Allergy. 2015 Jan; 5(1): 3–16. 
  3. Commins SP, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;123:426-33.
  4. Commins SP, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134:108-15.
  5. Commins, SP et al. Delayed Anaphylaxis to Red Meat in Patients with IgE Specific for Galactose alpha-1,3-Galactose (alpha-gal) Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2013;13 72-77.
  6. Mullins, RJ et al. The relationship between red meat allergy and sensitization to gelatin and galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 May; 129(5): 1334–1342.