‘There are no cures yet’

Doctors in Arkansas are sounding the alarm about a dangerous disease that is becoming a concern in the state.

What’s going on?

Accordingly 4029 NewsDoctors are urging caution during the winter months due to an increase in cases of Alpha-gal syndrome in Arkansas.

It is spread through tick bites and is best known for its primary symptom, which is a severe allergic reaction to red meat.

“They’ll eat red meat for dinner, let’s say they have steak for dinner, they wake up in the middle of the night with hives, their hands are swollen, you know, their mouth is swollen,” said Daniel Maechler, a nurse practitioner at Mercy Primary Care in Fort Smith.

“This tends to be the typical presentation that leads us to start working for Alpha-gal.”

Because alpha-gal is a relatively new addition to the list of diseases that affect humans, a blood test is required for diagnosis.

Why is alpha-gal syndrome a concern?

While red meat allergy is a concern for many people, it is a serious problem when affected individuals can suddenly develop a potentially life-threatening allergy.

The reaction can cause fairly mild hives and swelling, but it can also lead to anaphylaxis, which is more concerning.

Because beef can be found in many foods you wouldn’t expect, those suffering from this condition need to be careful about sticking to a red meat-free diet to prevent a potentially fatal reaction.

Alpha-gal cases in the U.S. have previously been seen primarily in the summer months in the deep South or elsewhere in the country because the ticks cannot survive the colder winter months.

But as our climate has warmed, ticks have expanded and become a more significant threat to watch for.

What is being done about alpha-gal syndrome?

Unfortunately, there is not much information available about Alpha-gal treatments, but red meat should be avoided.

“It’s kind of a newer diagnosis and kind of a newer trend; there’s no cure yet,” Maechler said. “Right now we only have symptomatic treatment.”

The best way to avoid alpha-gal is to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and safe insect repellent while in the woods.

Doing routine tick checks after any walk can help you catch them before they have a chance to infect you.

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