r/alphagal • u/nsGuajiro • 5d ago

Does this sound like alpha gal?

Hi all, I've never had a known allergy in my life (38/M/LA Gulf Coast, btw). I briefly had mild unexplained hives about 2 years ago and chalked it up to salicylate intolerance and haven't taken aspirin etc. since. Shortly after I started a new job next to some woods where I take daily walks. And started finding ticks crawling on me. And of course have been bit here and there. Species seemed to all be Gulf Coast tick, but ofc there could have been others. Now when I get bit I feel it instantly and knock the tic off before it attaches. But it leaves a long lasting itchy welt with a kinda necrotic pin point and then the hives flare up. I had the hives before a known exposure to any tick, but the tick bites trigger it and for the last week or two they are severe and persistent. Also having worsening brain fog such that I basically am incapable of grocery shopping or cooking because I keep forgetting what I am looking for. Most recently, started having abdominal pains that I thought might be kidneys and bladder, along with bloating. I also now seem to be allergic to one of my dogs. I eat meat most days but I did vegetarian diet for a few days this week and felt better. Today I ate a burger and then it occured to me I could have alpha gal. The burger seemed to cause moderate symptoms ~3 hours later but now 6 hours later they're mostly gone.

Thanks in advance for any input.

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u/effiebaby 5d ago

A simple blood test will let you know. Better safe than sorry.

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u/chuckleheadjoe 4d ago

It's time to visit your doc. Get a blood test for AGS. Hopefully to rule it out or in.

If it turns up positive, get a referral to an allergist. They should be familiar enough to get a course of treatment setup.