Alpha-Gal Syndrome in Fall | Alpha-Gal Acupuncture Rolla MO

Alpha-Gal Syndrome in the Fall: Why Symptoms Can Be Confusing as the Seasons Change

Fall in Missouri means cooler temperatures, changing leaves, hunting season, outdoor activities—and for many people, more concern about ticks and Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

One common misconception is that tick season ends when summer ends.

It doesn’t.

University of Missouri Extension reports that although June through September is considered peak tick season, ticks can remain active on warm and humid days, and Missouri health officials specifically warn that ticks can continue to thrive during the fall. The lone star tick, which is strongly associated with Alpha-Gal Syndrome in the United States, is common throughout Missouri.

For people who already have Alpha-Gal Syndrome—or those trying to determine whether their symptoms could be related to Alpha-Gal—fall can also introduce another problem: our diets change.

Soups, gravies, casseroles, holiday foods, processed foods, dairy products, gelatin and foods prepared with mammalian fats may suddenly become more common.

That can make an already complicated allergy even more confusing.

What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal Syndrome, commonly called AGS, is an allergy involving an immune response to a carbohydrate called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, or alpha-gal.

Alpha-gal occurs naturally in most mammals but not in humans.

In the United States, Alpha-Gal Syndrome is strongly associated with bites from the lone star tick. Missouri is an important region for Alpha-Gal awareness because lone star ticks are common throughout the state.

After sensitization, some people may experience allergic reactions after consuming products derived from mammals such as:

Beef

Pork

Lamb

Venison

Rabbit

Mammalian fats

Some dairy products

Gelatin

Certain medications or medical products containing mammalian-derived ingredients

However, not every person with Alpha-Gal reacts to every mammalian product.

That difference between patients is extremely important.

Alpha-Gal Reactions Can Be Delayed

One of the characteristics that makes Alpha-Gal Syndrome different from many traditional food allergies is the delay between eating and experiencing symptoms.

The CDC reports that symptoms frequently appear approximately 2 to 6 hours after exposure to foods containing alpha-gal.

That delay can make identifying the responsible food difficult.

For example, someone may eat dinner at 6:00 p.m. and not develop symptoms until late that evening or while sleeping.

The person may naturally blame something they ate more recently or may not associate the reaction with food at all.

Possible symptoms can include:

Hives or itching

Swelling

Abdominal pain

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

Heartburn or indigestion

Coughing

Shortness of breath

Dizziness

Low blood pressure

Anaphylaxis

Some individuals primarily experience gastrointestinal symptoms and may not develop obvious hives or skin symptoms.

Reactions can also vary from one exposure to another. A person may tolerate a food on one occasion and react differently another time.

Why Fall Foods Can Make Alpha-Gal More Difficult to Recognize

When cooler weather arrives, many people begin eating heavier foods.

Think about typical fall meals:

Beef stew.

Chili.

Cream-based soups.

Biscuits and gravy.

Mashed potatoes with butter.

Casseroles.

Cheese-based dishes.

Gelatin desserts.

Foods cooked with bacon grease or other animal fats.

These meals may contain mammalian ingredients that aren't always obvious.

Someone who is carefully avoiding steak or hamburgers may still encounter mammalian products through broth, gravy, dairy, gelatin or animal fat.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services advises people with AGS to be aware not only of mammalian meats but also dairy, gelatin and foods prepared with animal fat because these may contain alpha-gal.

That does not mean every Alpha-Gal patient needs to eliminate every one of these foods.

Individual sensitivity can vary significantly.

That is one reason dietary decisions should be individualized rather than based solely on a list found online.

A Positive Alpha-Gal Blood Test Does Not Automatically Mean You Have Alpha-Gal Syndrome

This is an especially important point.

The primary laboratory test used when evaluating Alpha-Gal Syndrome measures alpha-gal-specific IgE antibodies.

However, according to the CDC:

A positive alpha-gal IgE blood test alone does not establish a diagnosis of Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Some people—particularly in areas where lone star ticks are common—can have measurable alpha-gal IgE antibodies without experiencing clinical Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Diagnosis should therefore include several pieces of information:

Your symptoms

Your history of reactions

The timing of symptoms after eating

Tick exposure

Alpha-gal-specific IgE testing

A complete medical history

Other possible causes of your symptoms

This is why I strongly encourage patients to obtain appropriate laboratory testing and medical evaluation rather than simply assuming every digestive problem, rash or unusual symptom is caused by Alpha-Gal.

Numbers Matter—but Symptoms Matter Too

Patients frequently focus on the number printed beside their Alpha-Gal IgE result.

Understandably, they want to know:

“Is my number high?”

or

“Does this number tell me how severe my allergy is?”

The answer isn't always straightforward.

Research indicates that the level of alpha-gal-specific IgE does not reliably predict how severe a future reaction will be.

The laboratory result is therefore one part of the clinical picture—not the entire diagnosis.

A healthcare provider should consider the patient's symptoms, history and laboratory findings together.

Don't Assume Every Symptom Is Alpha-Gal

This is something I emphasize in my office.

Once someone hears about Alpha-Gal Syndrome, it can become tempting to attribute every digestive symptom or food reaction to AGS.

But abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, bloating and unexplained weight changes can have many possible causes.

Other medical problems can sometimes produce symptoms that appear similar to food intolerance or allergy.

That is why appropriate evaluation is important.

My goal is not simply to treat someone because they believe they have Alpha-Gal.

I want to see whether their history and laboratory findings actually support the diagnosis and whether there are other medical issues that should be evaluated by their primary-care physician, allergist or another appropriate specialist.

Good healthcare begins with asking the right question:

Are we treating the right condition?

Fall Does Not Mean Tick Exposure Is Over

Another important consideration during September, October and even later is continued tick exposure.

University of Missouri Extension reported in 2026 that Missouri ticks have essentially “no off-season” when weather conditions are favorable. Missouri's milder weather can allow ticks to remain active later into the fall.

That matters for people with Alpha-Gal Syndrome because preventing additional tick bites remains an important part of management.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services advises:

Use an EPA-registered tick repellent.

Wear protective clothing in grassy or wooded areas.

Perform careful tick checks after outdoor activity.

Treat clothing and gear with appropriate permethrin products when indicated.

Remove ticks promptly and properly.

For hunters, hikers, farmers and anyone spending significant time outdoors in Missouri, those precautions remain important throughout the fall.

What About Acupuncture and SAAT for Alpha-Gal?

At Moreland Chiropractic Clinic in Rolla, Missouri, I have practiced acupuncture for more than 32 years.

For patients with Alpha-Gal Syndrome, my approach may include auricular acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) when clinically appropriate.

There is published research examining SAAT for Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

A 2021 retrospective case series evaluated 137 patients treated with SAAT. Among patients for whom follow-up outcome information was available, many reported improvement or remission of symptoms. However, the researchers themselves concluded that additional prospective research with laboratory confirmation is needed.

That distinction is important.

A retrospective case series is not the same level of evidence as a randomized, controlled clinical trial, and current evidence is not sufficient to say that acupuncture or SAAT cures Alpha-Gal Syndrome. You must ask the question though, "do you cure any allergy?" Managing them is the goal.

My goal is to help appropriately selected patients reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, while encouraging appropriate medical evaluation and collaboration with their allergist or primary-care provider.

Why I Prefer a Conservative Approach

I do not believe that a person with a history of significant Alpha-Gal reactions should immediately eat a large serving of mammalian meat simply to see what happens.

Alpha-Gal reactions can include anaphylaxis and can be unpredictable.

When food reintroduction is appropriate, I believe it should be approached carefully and individually, taking into account:

Previous reaction severity

Current symptoms

Laboratory findings

Other medical conditions

Recommendations from the patient's allergist or treating physician

Patients with a history of anaphylaxis or significant reactions should discuss any food challenge with their allergist or physician before attempting one.

Alpha-Gal Treatment Should Be Individualized

Alpha-Gal Syndrome is unusual because two people with similar laboratory results may have very different experiences.

One person may react to beef but tolerate dairy.

Another may react to dairy or mammalian fat.

Another may experience mostly gastrointestinal symptoms.

Another may experience hives or anaphylaxis.

The CDC specifically notes that people with AGS may not react to every product containing alpha-gal and may experience different reactions at different times.

That variability is exactly why individualized care matters.

When Should You Consider Alpha-Gal Testing?

Consider discussing Alpha-Gal Syndrome with your healthcare provider if you experience unexplained episodes of symptoms such as:

Hives

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Nausea

Swelling

Difficulty breathing

Dizziness

Unexplained nighttime allergic reactions

especially if symptoms occur several hours after eating mammalian meat or other mammalian products and you live in or have traveled through an area where tick exposure is common.

In Missouri, that history is particularly relevant because lone star ticks are abundant throughout the state.

A Final Thought About Alpha-Gal This Fall

Fall is one of the best times of the year in Missouri.

It is also a good time to remember that ticks haven't necessarily disappeared simply because the temperatures are cooler.

If you have known Alpha-Gal Syndrome, continue protecting yourself from additional tick bites.

If you think you may have Alpha-Gal Syndrome, don't diagnose yourself based solely on symptoms or an internet checklist.

And if you have a positive Alpha-Gal blood test, remember that the number alone does not tell the entire story.

Proper testing, a detailed history and appropriate medical evaluation can help determine whether Alpha-Gal Syndrome is actually responsible for your symptoms.

At Moreland Chiropractic Clinic in Rolla, Missouri, I evaluate each Alpha-Gal patient individually and use appropriate laboratory information as part of that evaluation. When appropriate, I may incorporate electro-acupuncture, auricular acupuncture and SAAT with the goal of reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.

I also encourage patients to maintain appropriate relationships with their allergist, primary-care physician and other healthcare providers.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome can be complicated. Good care should not be.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Can you have a positive Alpha-Gal test without having symptoms?

Yes. The CDC states that some people can have alpha-gal-specific IgE antibodies without having clinical Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Diagnosis requires consideration of symptoms, medical history and laboratory testing together.

How long after eating can an Alpha-Gal reaction occur?

Symptoms commonly appear approximately 2–6 hours after exposure, although reactions can vary among individuals.

Can Alpha-Gal cause only stomach problems?

Yes. Some people experience primarily gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Does everyone with Alpha-Gal need to avoid dairy?

No. Sensitivity varies. Some people tolerate dairy while others may react to it. Dietary restrictions should be individualized with an appropriate healthcare provider.

Can Alpha-Gal reactions be dangerous?

Yes. Alpha-Gal Syndrome can cause anaphylaxis. Difficulty breathing, significant swelling, fainting or other signs of a severe allergic reaction require emergency medical care.

Can ticks still bite you during fall in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri health and University Extension resources warn that ticks can remain active during fall and during favorable warm and humid weather.

Does acupuncture cure Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Current scientific evidence is not sufficient to say acupuncture or SAAT cures Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Published observational research has reported encouraging outcomes with SAAT, but additional high-quality prospective research is needed.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Clinical Diagnosis and Testing. Updated January 5, 2026.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Updated January 5, 2026.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Updated January 5, 2026.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

University of Missouri Extension. Ticks Have No Off-Season. April 15, 2026.

University of Missouri Extension. Changing Missouri Weather Fuels Tick Populations. April 24, 2026.

Flowers K, et al. Alpha-gal syndrome: A review for the dermatologist. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023.

Platts-Mills TAE, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Patients with the α-Gal Syndrome. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2020.

Bernal M, Huecker M, Shreffler J, et al. Successful Treatment for Alpha Gal Mammal Product Allergy Using Auricular Acupuncture: A Case Series. Medical Acupuncture. 2021;33(5):343-348.