Alpha-Gal Allergy Treatment in Central Virginia
Learn about Alpha-gal syndrome, its symptoms and triggers, published research on Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment, and the individualized SAAT care available.
What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)—sometimes called Alpha-gal allergy, mammalian meat allergy, or red meat allergy—is a potentially serious allergy that can develop after a tick bite.
“Alpha-gal” is short for galactose-α-1,3-galactose, a molecule naturally found in most mammals, including cows, pigs, sheep, deer, and rabbits, but not in humans.
Certain tick bites can trigger an immune response to Alpha-gal. People who develop AGS may subsequently experience allergic reactions after eating mammalian meat or encountering other products containing Alpha-gal.
Alpha-Gal Symptoms and Possible Sources
Unlike most food allergies, alpha-gal reactions are often delayed. Symptoms commonly begin two to six hours after eating mammalian meat or another product containing alpha-gal, although timing and severity can vary considerably.
Possible Sources:
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Mammalian meats, such as beef, pork, lamb, venison, and rabbit
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Mammalian fats and foods prepared with them
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Gelatin, collagen, and other mammal-derived ingredients
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Certain medications, supplements, capsules, and medical products
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Some personal-care products containing mammalian ingredients
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Dairy products for some individuals
Common Symptoms:
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Hives, itching, or flushed skin
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Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, eyelids, or throat
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Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
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Heartburn or indigestion
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Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
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Dizziness, faintness, or a drop in blood pressure
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Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
Severe allergic reactions require emergency care. Anyone experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis should use prescribed epinephrine as directed and seek immediate emergency medical attention.
Why Alpha-Gal Can Be Complicated
Alpha-gal syndrome does not look exactly the same in every person. One person may react primarily to mammalian meat, while another may also react to dairy, gelatin, medications, supplements, personal-care products, or other mammal-derived ingredients. The amount required to provoke a reaction—and its timing and severity—may also vary.
Not everyone with Alpha-gal syndrome reacts to every possible source. Other food, environmental, or substance-related allergies may also exist alongside Alpha-gal, which means that every symptom or reaction should not automatically be attributed to a single cause.
This variability is one reason individualized evaluation matters. Each person’s history, known reactions, previous treatment, and pattern of sensitivity should be considered when determining an appropriate next step.
Testing is only one part of the picture. A positive Alpha-gal IgE result does not necessarily establish that a person has clinical Alpha-gal syndrome. Symptoms, exposure history, and appropriate medical evaluation must also be considered.
Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT)
Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment, or SAAT, is a specialized form of auricular acupuncture developed by Nader Soliman, MD. Dr. Soliman is a physician, medical acupuncturist, and the originator of the patented SAAT method.
For a particular allergen, SAAT uses one very small, sterile, semi-permanent acupuncture needle placed at a precisely identified location in the ear. The needle remains in place for approximately three to four weeks, providing continuous stimulation throughout the treatment period.
Dr. Soliman describes SAAT as a one-treatment, one-needle approach for a particular allergen, intended to provide long-term remission of the corresponding allergic response. Individual outcomes vary, and additional evaluation or treatment may be appropriate when multiple allergies or contributing factors are present.
Published Research on SAAT
Published clinical investigations have reported encouraging outcomes following SAAT, including research focused specifically on Alpha-gal syndrome.
2020 Alpha-Gal SAAT Investigation
94.8% reported improvement
The 2020 paper Effect of Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) on IgE-Mediated Reactions Due to Exposure to Mammalian Meat Oligosaccharide, Galactose-α-1,3-Galactose reported outcomes from an initial group of 155 patients who completed SAAT and provided follow-up information.
Of those patients, 147 reported some restored ability to consume mammalian meat without an allergic reaction or a significant reduction in the severity or frequency of their reactions. The study’s primary outcome was based on patients’ written reports.
Read the 2020 Alpha-Gal SAAT study
2021 Two-Clinic Case Series
Approximately 96% reported remission
A second paper, Successful Treatment for Alpha Gal Mammal Product Allergy Using Auricular Acupuncture: A Case Series, was published in the journal Medical Acupuncture in 2021. Dr. Nader Soliman was among its authors.
Researchers retrospectively reviewed 137 patients who received SAAT for Alpha-gal syndrome at two separate clinics. Follow-up information was available for 126 patients. Of those patients, 121 reported that their symptoms were in remission following treatment.
No adverse reactions resulting from the auricular acupuncture procedure were reported in the paper.
Read the 2021 Alpha-Gal case series
2014 Comparative SAAT Study
SAAT compared with another auricular allergy method
Before the Alpha-gal-specific publications, Dr. Soliman studied SAAT in patients with several types of food and environmental allergies.
His 2014 paper, A Comparison Study of the Effectiveness of SAAT (Soliman’s Auricular Allergy Treatment) Approach and Nogier’s Allergy Treatment Technique, followed 80 patients divided between two auricular allergy-treatment methods over 24 weeks. The paper reported that patients treated with SAAT experienced more sustained results than those treated with the comparison method.
Read Dr. Soliman’s comparative SAAT study
Why Choose Me for SAAT?
I am a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, licensed acupuncturist, and certified practitioner of Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment. I was trained personally by SAAT founder Dr. Nader Soliman, MD, in both SAAT and Auricular Medicine.
I consider each patient’s history, known reactions, previous treatment, and individual evaluation findings when determining an appropriate treatment plan. When indicated, I may also consider whether other allergies or sensitivities appear to be contributing to the overall picture.
This individualized approach may also be valuable for someone who received SAAT elsewhere but did not experience the expected results. Previous treatment does not necessarily mean that every relevant allergy or contributing factor was identified or adequately addressed.
I enjoy explaining and walking each patient through the process from start to finish, answering questions along the way.
Important Medical Information
Alpha-gal syndrome can cause serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. SAAT is not emergency allergy care and does not replace medical diagnosis or management by a physician or allergist when those services are needed.
Patients should continue prescribed medications, carry epinephrine when advised, and follow their established safety precautions. This practice does not conduct oral food challenges. Patients should consult an appropriate medical provider before intentionally reintroducing a previously reactive food or changing prescribed medication.
The information on this page is educational and describes services offered by this practice. It is not intended to provide individualized medical advice or guarantee a particular treatment outcome. Individual responses to SAAT vary.