# what is the mechanism for getting Alpha-gal allergy?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mechanism-for-getting-alpha-gal-allergy/836832>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 10, 2019, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mechanism-for-getting-alpha-gal-allergy/836832 "2019-07-10T14:00:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2019, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mechanism-for-getting-alpha-gal-allergy/836832/1 "2019-07-10T14:00:45Z")

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This is an affliction that seems to be transmitted by the lone star tick.

> **[Alpha-gal syndrome - Symptoms and causes](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alpha-gal-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20428608)**
>
> An allergic reaction to meat-based meals had researchers stumped — until they connected the condition to bites from certain ticks.

I don’t understand how this could cause an allergic response. The person is regularly exposed to the alpha-galactose sugar from eating meat; then when that sugar is injected into the blood, they develop an allergy.

Anyone have a mechanism for why injecting the sugar into the blood produces the allergy against something that is regularly consumed?

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**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2019, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mechanism-for-getting-alpha-gal-allergy/836832/2 "2019-07-10T14:14:14Z")

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Allergic reactions can result due to where the allergen gets into the body and _what else_ rides along with the allergen.

WAG: The tick injects something else that causes an immune response (which consists of several components). This immune response goes after the other stuff at the bite which includes the sugar. Allergy ensues.