Alpha-gal allergy from Lone Star tick

[Elwood P Dowd]

4. I've had it for several years.

Had some rough episodes that required trips to the emergency room. Doctors had no clue back then what the hell was happening. It was 2011 before I figured out it was the Lone Star tick allergy by reading a report about it on the damn internet. I live out in the boonies, so I'm subject to get tick bites.

Made an appointment with an allergy doctor and had a ton of tests, including a blood test for the Alpha-gal. It was positive. When I told friends and relatives about it, they thought I was going la-la land. Until recently, even doctors and nurses in the hospital knew absolutely nothing about such an allergy.

The only meals I eat are those I prepare myself and know they're safe. Haven't eaten any red meat in a decade. Also make sure even the veggies I eat are not cooked with anything but water. I even closely check canned or frozen veggies to make sure there isn't any seasoning of any type in them. Keep an Epi-Pen handy just in case.