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Real members of MyFoodAllergyTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I was just diagnosed with alpha gal syndrome, the red meat allergy! I'm 50 years old and have never had a food allergy until now!

A MyFoodAllergyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Ada, OK

It's scary how a little insect like a tick can change your entire life! All of a sudden I am deathly allergic to not only beef, pork, lamb and other mammal meats but dairy products as well! I have had to learn to check labels carefully and give up most of the foods that I love! I'm scared to go out to eat because of cross contamination! I'm getting used to my new diet for the most part but still find myself occasionally getting hives or even facial swelling without knowing what caused it! Alpha… read more

June 3
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MyFoodAllergyTeam

A new food allergy diagnosis at 50 is genuinely life-changing, and those feelings of fear and frustration are completely valid. A MyFoodAllergyTeam member put it well: "It is a huge pain to deal with as far as reading labels." You are definitely not alone in feeling this way.

The unexpected hives and facial swelling are Show Full Answer

A new food allergy diagnosis at 50 is genuinely life-changing, and those feelings of fear and frustration are completely valid. A MyFoodAllergyTeam member put it well: "It is a huge pain to deal with as far as reading labels." You are definitely not alone in feeling this way.

The unexpected hives and facial swelling are concerning and worth taking seriously. Alpha-gal can hide in surprising places beyond just obvious meats, including:

- Gelatin (found in many packaged foods and some medications)
- Dairy products
- Certain medications and supplements made from mammalian sources
- Gel capsules on some medications

Facial swelling in particular can be a warning sign of a serious reaction called anaphylaxis. If swelling, breathing difficulty, or a sudden drop in blood pressure ever occurs, seek emergency care immediately. If an allergist hasn't already prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), that conversation is worth having soon. It's important to carry it everywhere and make sure people close by know how to use it.

Working with both an allergist and a registered dietitian can also make navigating this much easier. They can help identify hidden triggers and ensure nutritional needs are still being met on a restricted diet.

There is also a small silver lining — some people do see their alpha-gal antibody levels decrease over time, especially if they avoid further tick bites. Annual antibody testing can help track whether things are improving.

June 3

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