Allergies are prevalent. Many people cannot take certain foods because they are allergic to them. We are allergic to food items, and the elements in the air can cause allergy.
Allergic reactions can be in the form of rash and bumps on the skin and cause much itching. One can get rid of the allergic by avoiding the substance causing the inflammation.
Pork Allergies: Science Behind the Reaction
Pork allergy is a genuine concern for individuals suffering from it, though it is rare. The allergic reaction to pork is primarily due to a specific protein called “alpha-gal.” This protein is found in the meat of mammals, including pork. It is also found in beef, rabbit, lamb, and venison. The immune system of the person allergic to alpha-gal thinks it is a threat and releases immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. They release histamines, hence the allergic symptoms.
The alpha-gal can is also linked to bites from certain ticks, like the Lone Star tick. This means some individuals develop a pork allergy after being bitten by these ticks. It is seen in some parts of the U.S. Please note that alpha-gal reactions are delayed. The symptoms appear several hours after pork consumption.
Symptoms of Pork Allergy
Below are some of the primary pork allergy symptoms:
- Asthma.
- Severe anaphylactic reaction.
- Eczema.
- Abdominal symptoms.
- Headaches.
- Runny nose.
- Wheezing.
- Cough.
- Sinusitis.
- Hives.
Causes of Pork Allergy
Some of the top pork allergy causes are:
- The meat or the chemical used for processing the meat causes the allergy.
- Substances like papain and casein are used as a stabilizer and tenderizers that are potential allergens for some individuals.
- Chemicals used as preservatives also cause the allergy.
- Cross-reactivity with other meats due to similar protein structures.
- Alpha-gal protein in pork, linked to allergic reactions, especially after certain tick bites.
Treatment for Pork Allergy
- One must not have any contact with the allergen.
- One can make use of antihistamine to maintain a check on the secreted histamine.
- It is good to take an adrenalin injection in case an anaphylaxis reaction tends to occur.
- Make use of bronchodilators for checking the asthmatic symptoms.
Other forms of treatment for pork allergy
- Bromelain.
- Quercitin.
- Vitamin A.
- Euclayptus.
- L-Carnitine.
- Iron.
One must consult one’s physician in case he decides upon a course of treatment or changes from one therapy to another.
Here are some more choices of treatment for pork allergy
- Eye-drops for allergic conjunctivitis.
- One can make use of nasal sprays.
- Inhale beta agonists .as well as corticosteroids.
- One can have oral steroids for allergic reaction, which happens to be moderate.
- One can go in for desensitization to get used to the allergen.
- In case of anaphylactic, then one may have to go in for hospitalization.
One can overcome an allergy to pork by taking the required medical help available in various treatment forms.
1 Comment
Hi, I get very severe stomach pains and cramps after I eat pork meat.
I have tried everything to soothe it, nothing works.
I can’t eat or drink anything because it gets worse.
I can’t sleep, because the cramps keep me awake.
I don’t know what to do anymore. The doctors’ medicine doesn’t even work.
So I don’t know.
Please help.
I try my best to prevent eating pork and I haven’t eaten pork in a very long time, but Monday the cramps started again. I don’t know why, but it’s really bad everytime.
Thank you.