Danny Federico
Individuals living with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) will have an opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges through a monthly support group at the Branford Public Library.
The Alpha-Gal Support Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. The in-person group is open to those who are newly diagnosed, as well as those who have been managing AGS for years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AGS is a potentially serious allergy to alpha-gal, a sugar molecule found in meat and other products derived from mammals.
Individuals with the syndrome can experience allergic reactions after eating red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb, as well as other products containing ingredients derived from mammals. Unlike many food allergies, symptoms of AGS often do not appear until several hours after exposure.
In the United States, the syndrome is primarily associated with bites from the lone star tick. A tick bite can expose a person to alpha-gal and trigger an immune response that causes the body to later react to the molecule when it is encountered in certain foods or other products.
However, not everyone bitten by a lone star tick develops the syndrome.
The CDC notes allergic reactions can vary from person to person and may include hives or an itchy rash, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness or anaphylaxis.
Living with AGS, the library posted on social media, can feel isolating, particularly when navigating hidden ingredients in foods and products or explaining the allergy to friends and others. The group is intended to provide a welcoming community where participants can meet others who understand those challenges.
During the meetings, participants can share their experiences, exchange helpful tips, swap safe product recommendations, and offer each other encouragement and support. The group is intended for peer support and does not provide medical advice.
Several guidelines for the meetings have also been established to protect members who are particularly sensitive to potential allergens.
No mammalian products should be brought into the meeting area, including beef, pork, dairy, gelatin or other products derived from mammals. Meetings are also fragrance-free, and attendees are asked not to wear perfume, scented lotions or products containing lanolin.
Those attending should also bring any personal emergency medications they may need, including an epinephrine auto-injector if one has been prescribed.
The Branford Public Library is located at 703 Suwannee Ave. N.W.
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