Candice Matthis (left) and Debbie Nichols work through their podcast, blog, social media and conference events to spread awareness of a lesser known and researched tick-borne condition called Alpha-Gal Syndrome.
Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
MONTGOMERY COUNTY- The Two Alpha Gals work through their podcast, blog, social media and conference events to spread awareness of a lesser known and researched tick-borne condition called Alpha-Gal Syndrome.
Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols are two friends and colleagues who both live with Alpha-Gal Syndrome. According to the CDC, Alpha-Gal Syndrome or “The Red Meat Allergy”, “is a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic condition that can occur after a tick bite.” The CDC also states that the lone star tick is the species of tick most commonly associated with Alpha-Gal Syndrome but one can be bitten by another species of tick as per the research that is on-going, these other species have not been ruled out as triggers for the syndrome. According to the CDC, the tick bite triggers a molecule named galactose-α-1,3-galactose which is found in most mammals. This makes it so that when people eat red meat or other mammalian products, their body reacts to it as an allergen, hence why it is commonly referred to as the “Red Meat Allergy”.
“This could mean,” Nichols explained regarding reaction, “anaphylaxis. It could mean GI distress. It could mean nothing. So, a certain percentage of people will get bitten and will actually contract Alpha-Gal syndrome, but will have no symptoms whatsoever.”
Debbie and Candice explained that their reactions to this allergy are on the severe side to the point where they are both fume-reactive, meaning they can have an allergic reaction because they are in a space where meat is being cooked and they breathe in those particles and it sends their bodies into distress.
“Alpha-Gal is different,” Matthis explained, “because you look at other tick-borne diseases; they’re bacterial or viral. Alpha-Gal is not. It’s an IGE response. It’s an allergy. When you research Alpha-Gal, other animals, most other mammals, carry it [the molecule galactose-α-1,3-galactose] naturally. They genetically have this carbohydrate, which we [humans] don’t.”
The allergy reacts to mammalian byproducts, which from its nickname makes people believe that it is just food based, however Debbie and Candice explain that mammalian by-products like tallow, gelatin, or dairy, exist in our everyday lives in household products like soap, laundry detergent, candles, paint and even crayons and therefore this allergy cause an entire lifestyle change where its not solely about watching what you eat. The Two Alpha-Gals explained that this even restricts what kind of medicines someone who lives with Alpha-Gal Syndrome can use as gel capsule medications often have gelatin in them which is a pork by-product. This can also mean, because companies can change their chemical formulas, that a product that was once safe can become no longer safe for people with this allergy.
Since 2019, the Two Alpha-Gals have been spreading knowledge, doing research and advocating for people with this allergy as they explained that it is not on a typical allergy table or a tick-borne disease test. Matthis and Nichols explain that oftentimes people react to this information with shock and awe or revelation because it shows people who have been struggling with the symptoms that this syndrome is a possible cause for their ailments. The test for Alpha-Gal is typically covered by insurance and they advise adding it to a tick-borne disease test if you suspect being bitten.
“If you’re in a place,” Nichols said, “ where you’re potentially getting bit by deer ticks that give you Lyme, you’re probably in a place where you have the potential to get bit by lone star ticks, so people with Lyme who are not seeing relief from their symptoms; it would be worth it to check for Alpha-Gal syndrome because the symptoms can also be joint pain and all these symptoms that look like Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, and the lifestyle shift [need if you have Alpha-Gal] makes all the difference.”
The Alpha-Gals mission is to give people the tools, education, confidence and empowerment to live with Alpha-Gal Syndrome. As there is no medical way to prevent Alpha-Gal Syndrome, those who have it will have to make a lasting change to their lives and work with medical professionals to help give them relief from their symptoms. The Alpha-Gals also tackle the mental health and holistic aspects in their endeavors and try to help grow awareness in the overall community. As more research is occurring rapidly regarding Alpha-Gal, Matthis and Nichols have a food allergy mentorship program they run and advocate for others. They have a podcast, blog, and many social media platforms they use to help spread information and educate. They are in the process of launching a non-profit which would be a bigger and louder platform for them called the Alpha Gal Foundation where they can fundraise to help more of the Alpha-Gal Syndrome community and bridge that gap between healthcare, the underdiagnosed and lifestyle change. They aim to help more people.
“We just want people,” Nichols and Matthis said, “out there who are living with it and suffering to know so that they can make changes to really bring joy back to their lives.”
