On many occasions, this type of allergic reaction to meat, be it beef, beef, chicken or pork, can be related to others that are already suffered.
Thus, and although “some children may present allergic reactions to meat pork or lamb, it may be more common for them to manifest them after eating cow or veal meat, especially if they are allergic to cow’s milk proteins. Also poultry meat, such as chicken or turkey, can cause allergy symptoms, for example, in children with high sensitization to eggs.
Five things to know about a meat allergy
To manage this type of allergy in the event that it appears in our closest environment, SEICAP specialists list 5 aspects that we should know about.
Well-done meat is better tolerated. We have already said that allergy to beef or veal, although it is rare. In the few cases in which it manifests itself, it is responsible for a protein called bovine serum albumin that becomes inactive with heat, so if the meat is well done it will be well tolerated.
Therefore, special care must be taken with those rations that are eaten raw or undercooked.
Allergic reactions to meat are similar to any other food allergy. There is no difference between this allergy and others. The symptoms that can appear after eating any type of meat can be from very mild to very serious and varied. The most important are:
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Itching in the mouth and throat.
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Appearance of skin signs such as hives, including angioedema with swelling of the lips or eyelids.
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Respiratory symptoms such as rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma.
The most serious cases will cause anaphylaxis that must be treated immediately.
Children with an allergy to cow’s milk proteins may have an allergy to meat. It is known that a small number of children who are allergic to cow’s milk proteins may have allergic symptoms if they eat beef or cow meat.
It can also happen that if packaged meats are consumed, they may contain other types of ingredients such as flour, gelatin or nuts in the batter, which are what can cause allergy symptoms in children.
“That is why it is vitally important to read the labels of products that are sold packaged well,” they explain from SEICAP.
Regarding the relationship between egg allergy and chicken allergyIt is important to know that egg allergy is one of the most common in young children. But the fact that a child suffers from this allergy does not mean that he will also have an allergy to chicken.
“In fact, the few patients who are sensitized to chicken have symptoms due to the egg yolk, while the majority of those allergic to eggs are allergic to the egg white”, explain the pediatric allergists.
It is also common for children who, for various reasons, have frequent contact with birds, and are more exposed to their feathers or droppings, to suffer from this type of allergy.
Delayed meat allergy is called alpha-gal syndrome. “It is a type of allergy to veal, cow or lamb meat that produces symptoms several hours after eating these types of meat, and not immediately as is the case in most cases of food allergy” , explain the specialists.
And it is that the allergic reaction to food appears immediately after having consumed it, while in this syndrome it occurs between 3 and 6 hours after having eaten the meat.
The major allergen contained in red meat is alpha-gal (alpha-galactose) which is found in all non-primate mammalian tissues.
The most frequent symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome are:
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Hives and itchy skin.
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Angioedema with swelling of the lip, face or tongue.
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wheezing
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digestive symptoms.
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Respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion.
In addition, it can evolve into a severe reaction and lead to anaphylaxis.
In any case, and as occurs with other types of allergies, SEICAP experts warn that if you suffer a serious reaction, you must act immediately “and, if you do not have the appropriate treatments, go to the nearest emergency department” .
In the event that it is children who suffer any of the symptoms seen after eating any type of meatit is best to consult with a pediatric allergist “to determine the specific origin of the problem and establish the best treatment to follow”.
And while we consult with specialists, it is best to avoid eating these foods until there is a clear diagnosis.