International Header

UK Department of Entomology: Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

A review of the Alpha-Gal red meat allergy.

UK Department of Entomology: Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

Last updated:
March 10, 2025
|  5 min read

UK Department of Entomology: Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

UK Department of Entomology: Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

YouTube video highlight

A review of the Alpha-Gal red meat allergy.

Read more about the project

UK Department of Entomology: Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

No items found.

Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

Fast Facts
Alpha-gal syndrome or red meat allergy is an allergic condition. Those with the condition must forgo eating beef, lamb, pork, and wild game. Sufferers can still eat poultry, seafood, eggs, and plant-based sources of protein.
Symptoms can include gastrointestinal issue such as nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea and other allergic symptoms such as cough, hives, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the eyes/tongue/lips/throat, amongst others.
Alpha-gal is currently only known to be spread by the lone star tick, which is also the most commonly encountered species of tick in Kentucky.
Not every lone star tick bite will result in the red meat allergy. Allergic symptoms can appear 3-6 hours after eating red meat and sufferers will need to consult with a physician or allergist for diagnosis and management.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Heather Norman-Burgdolf.

UK Department of Entomology: Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

Fast Facts
Alpha-gal syndrome or red meat allergy is an allergic condition. Those with the condition must forgo eating beef, lamb, pork, and wild game. Sufferers can still eat poultry, seafood, eggs, and plant-based sources of protein.
Symptoms can include gastrointestinal issue such as nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea and other allergic symptoms such as cough, hives, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the eyes/tongue/lips/throat, amongst others.
Alpha-gal is currently only known to be spread by the lone star tick, which is also the most commonly encountered species of tick in Kentucky.
Not every lone star tick bite will result in the red meat allergy. Allergic symptoms can appear 3-6 hours after eating red meat and sufferers will need to consult with a physician or allergist for diagnosis and management.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Heather Norman-Burgdolf.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Professor
Heather Norman-Burgdolf
Heather Norman-Burgdolf joined the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition as an Extension faculty member in January 2017.
Media Mentions

UK Department of Entomology: Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

Life with Alpha-Gal Red Meat Allergy

Fast Facts
Alpha-gal syndrome or red meat allergy is an allergic condition. Those with the condition must forgo eating beef, lamb, pork, and wild game. Sufferers can still eat poultry, seafood, eggs, and plant-based sources of protein.
Symptoms can include gastrointestinal issue such as nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea and other allergic symptoms such as cough, hives, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the eyes/tongue/lips/throat, amongst others.
Alpha-gal is currently only known to be spread by the lone star tick, which is also the most commonly encountered species of tick in Kentucky.
Not every lone star tick bite will result in the red meat allergy. Allergic symptoms can appear 3-6 hours after eating red meat and sufferers will need to consult with a physician or allergist for diagnosis and management.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Heather Norman-Burgdolf.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Professor
Heather Norman-Burgdolf
Heather Norman-Burgdolf joined the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition as an Extension faculty member in January 2017.
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
February 3, 2026
6 Min
Treeline Review: PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2026
Read More

Media Mentions

43.2% of hikers used the Sawyer Squeeze, the most common hollow membrane squeeze filter (and the most common water treatment overall).

Mac
Contributing Writer

Media Mentions

Randy Patton’s late father, Biff Patton, launched the water filter program in 2010.

Conner Beene
Writer

Media Mentions

The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti
Communications and Engagement
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory