Diagnosis

To diagnose alpha-gal syndrome, a healthcare professional asks about your symptoms and your medical history and does an exam. A blood test can confirm that there are alpha-gal antibodies in your blood and measure the amount. But it's possible to have alpha-gal antibodies without having alpha-gal syndrome.

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Treatment

Alpha-gal syndrome treatment involves not eating the foods that cause your reaction. Always check the ingredient labels on store-bought foods. Make sure they don't have red meat or meat-based ingredients.

Ask your healthcare professional for a list of foods to not eat. These include meat extracts used in flavoring. The names of some meat-based ingredients make them easy to miss.

Be aware that some medical products made from animals may have alpha-gal. These might include heart valves from pigs and cows, lab-made proteins called monoclonal antibodies that fight diseases, the blood-thinning medicine heparin and some medicines to treat snake bites. But reactions to these products from people with alpha-gal syndrome are rare.

For a mild allergic reaction, an allergy medicine might help. For a more intense reaction, you may need a shot of epinephrine and emergency care. Many people with allergies carry a device called an epinephrine autoinjector. It's a syringe and needle that gives you a single dose of medicine when you press it against your thigh.

If you've been diagnosed with alpha-gal allergy, your healthcare professional is likely to prescribe an epinephrine autoinjector and teach you how to use it.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To keep from having an alpha-gal reaction, don't eat foods that have the following:

  • Beef.
  • Pork.
  • Lamb.
  • Organ meats, such as kidneys, livers, intestines and sweetbreads.
  • Gelatins and gelatin-coated medicines.

Check soup stock cubes, gravy packages and flavor ingredients in packaged products.

Be extra careful when you dine out. Even a small amount of meat can cause a serious reaction.

Do what you can to lower your risk. If you're worried that you may be allergic to something in a food, don't try it. Also think about bringing your own food to a party if guests are sharing a cooking surface to make food.

Preparing for your appointment

You may start by seeing your main healthcare professional. You may be sent to a specialist in allergies, called an allergist. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your appointment.

What you can do

Take a family member or friend along if you can. Someone who's with you can help you gather information.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms. What happens after you eat red meat? How long did the reaction take? What type of red meat did you eat and how much?
  • Your tick bites. List how many you've had and when you got them. Include how much time you spend outdoors in areas ticks are likely to be.
  • All medicines, vitamins or supplements you take, including dosages.
  • Questions you have.

Some questions to ask include:

  • Are my symptoms likely caused by a red meat allergy?
  • What else might be causing my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What's the best treatment?
  • Should I see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you suggest?
  • Do I need to carry an epinephrine autoinjector?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional may ask you questions such as:

  • Did you take allergy medicines that you can get without a prescription, such as antihistamines? If so, do they help?
  • Do you get symptoms when you eat any foods other than meat or meat products?
  • How bad are your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms better?
  • What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms worse?

What you can do in the meantime

If you think you have alpha-gal syndrome, don't eat red meat until your appointment. If you have a serious reaction, get emergency help.

Aug. 08, 2025
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