Successful Treatment for Alpha Gal Mammal Product Allergy Using Auricular Acupuncture: A Case Series

Introduction: Alpha gal syndrome (AGS) is an acquired allergy to mammalian products correlates with a tick bite(s) that appears to cause immune sensitization to an oligosaccharide in meat. Most publications on AGS describe no management other than avoidance of the offending agent(s). The objective of this study is to describe 2 populations of subjects who underwent Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) for significant AGS meat and/or dairy allergy. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of subjects treated at 2 different medical clinics that apply the same method of auricular acupuncture (SAAT) to AGS patients. Results: A total of 137 patients presented to the 2 sites included in this study. The majority of patients were mammal product eaters before AGS; however, at the time of treatment only 7.3% of individuals (n = 10) actively consumed mammal products. Most subjects were reactive to beef (n = 135) and dairy (n = 95). The most common organ system involved in prior allergic reactions associated with AGS were gastrointestinal (n = 82, 59.9%) and dermatologic (n = 61, 44.5%). For those individuals with available outcome data on SAAT effectiveness (n = 126), 121 (96%) patients indicated that their symptoms were in remission after SAAT. Five individuals indicated that their symptoms were not in remission. Eleven individuals were unsure of treatment response or unable to be reached for follow-up. Conclusion: The SAAT method showed effectiveness in the large majority of patients. No adverse reactions were noted as a result of auricular acupuncture. This alternative medicine approach to AGS management should be further studied in prospective trials with laboratory confirmation both before and after the procedure. This low-risk treatment shows promise in treating a medical condition that causes distress in an increasing number of patients.