Alpha-gal

[magid]

I know multiple folks who’ve been bitten by ticks and ended up with alpha-gal*, an anaphylaxis-level allergy to mammal-based foods, which sucks mightily (ticks and mosquitos have their place in the web of life and all, but they’d be my first two to vote off the planet if I had the option). And since folks often don’t know they’ve been bitten until they have a reaction, and like other tick-borne diseases (Lyme…), can be difficult to figure out, it’s extra awful.

None of which goes through by brain first when I hear “alpha-gal.” No, instead I ruminate on how it would be fun to read the adventures of AlphaGal and her sidekick, BetaBoy! I still haven’t decided whether these would be superheroes with powers tbd, or ones whose adventures focus on linguistics and various alphabets (perhaps for kids? or a much more clever person would be able to write them for adults?).


* link to Wikipedia; it’s awful that the CDC doesn’t feel like a reliable source these days.

Comments

[ruthling]

Lol, yeah, the name is not as frightening as it needs to be. MA is considering the syndrome a reportable condition, at least temporarily, which will provide much needed data. I also ordered more permethrin spray for my shoes.

[magid]

I think I’d seen something about MA considering to make it a reportable condition, which would help get more attention.

I should consider getting permethrin spray; thanks for the reminder. Is it mostly for tops-of-shoes when you apply it? (I mostly wear Keen sandals…. hrm.)