Recently my allergies have been acting up more than usual and a few months ago I had another bout of some upper respiratory junk that I was worried would turn into pneumonia. After a few weeks of over-medicating myself with anything I could find and getting mostly better, I still had a horrible cough and other allergy-like symptoms. With a demanding cattle show schedule, I was concerned about getting sicker.
I know I have reactions to cedar bedding and before we headed to Cattlemen’s Congress, I reached out to a friend that was already there to check on the provided bedding. Of course, they had cedar bedding and as much as I love it, my body does not. In the summer when you see me wearing jeans at a cattle show, just know it is because I break out in a rash from cattle bedding. With this knowledge, I made sure I packed my bag full of the necessary medication to ward off any coughing, running nose, red itchy eyes, fever, rashes or lack of ability to breathe meds.
I made it back home without getting worse, but still wanted to figure out what was going on. Because my daughter is a chiropractor and I am mostly healthy, I try to stay the natural route when it comes to my health, and she recommend a chiropractor local to me that specializes in allergy testing. My appointment was very eye opening when it comes to the things I am allergic to, and no surprise, cedar was a big one. The biggest shock and the explanation to some of my symptoms was the diagnosis of Alpha-Gal.
For those that don’t know, Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is a tick-bite associated condition that simply put, is a food allergy to red meat and other products that come from mammals. I did have Lyme disease 10-15 years ago and possibly I have had Alpha-Gal for almost as long. Not only is this a food type allergy, but you can also be sensitive to products you put on your skin or breathe in. Some people are highly sensitive and have life-threatening reactions where others can have mild reactions.
I think I am somewhere in the middle of that spectrum and am doing some acupuncture treatments and taking some homeopathic combinations to kind of ‘settle things down’. I have also changed my diet to eliminate anything I am eating that would cause a reaction. Basically, no meat or dairy and I LOVE cheese! Being told I am allergic to my cows is not good news to someone who lives and breathes showing cattle so I am hoping my dietary changes will keep this somewhat under control.
Because most of the OFN readers are involved in agriculture, I feel like this is an opportunity to bring some awareness to Alph-Gal syndrome. In future issues, I hope to highlight others involved in agriculture that are dealing with AGS and their struggles. Because AGS is a relatively new condition, the knowledge, diagnosis, treatment and management is not widespread in Missouri or even nationally. There is a map available on the web put out by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services on AGS and they have a map showing that the prevalence of AGS is higher in Missouri and neighboring states than anywhere else. Their map is heavily concentrated in OFN’s coverage area.
The past year we have seen the introduction of a new tick species to the area and the bulletins put out by the various extension centers regarding new tick diseases in cattle. It is important we take a look at our own health and symptoms and things that could be attributed to a tick bite. Do I want to carry an epi-pen around or wear a mask while showing or working with cattle? I do not, but if I am unable to breathe while doing the things I love, something must change. Education will be the key to me being able to navigate this new normal.
Debbie Elder is a native of Ottawa County, Okla. and lives on her farm in Webster County, Mo. To contact Debbie, call 1-866-532-1960 or by email at [email protected].
