Allergy to meat could be deadly

Q. My 16-year-old daughter was diagnosed with alpha-gal allergy several months ago after numerous trips to the ER. She’s had tick bites that itched, swelled and remained a large, hard knot for weeks. She’s also had horrifying late-night reactions in which she was covered in hives. We live on a farm and raise our own beef and lamb. My daughter handles the sheep and cows daily. She has plans to become an animal veterinarian and has worked with the university vet in various procedures without any problems. Avoiding mammal meat is just a way of life for her now.

A. Alpha-gal allergy is initially triggered by a tick bite. It leads to a delayed but serious allergic reaction to eating meat. Symptoms may include hives, difficulty breathing or anaphylactic shock. There is a blood test to confirm the allergy. The only solution is to avoid eating meat. Anyone who would like more details about alpha-gal allergy may listen to our one-hour interview with the researcher who discovered it. Search for radio show No. 830 at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com

Q. I have been on Catapres patches for several years to help control high blood pressure. My insurance company switched me to generic clonidine patches without my knowledge. Within 36 hours of switching to the generic, my blood pressure was out of control, higher than 200/100.

After a week, I changed the patch for a new one and wondered if that was the problem. I got my doctor to switch me back to the name brand, and within 24 hours my blood pressure was back to normal.

A. Doctors have known for years that sudden discontinuation of clonidine (Catapres) can lead to rebound hypertension. Other symptoms may include headache, nervousness and tremor. Your symptoms suggest that the generic clonidine patch was not delivering adequate medicine to prevent such a withdrawal reaction.

We recommend that people who think their generic drug is not performing appropriately make a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch program: www.FDA.gov/MedWatch, and to the generic drug office: genericdrugs@fda.hhs.gov.

Q. Are there any simple treatments for severe eczema other than steroids? I just hate to keep smearing steroid cream on my skin all the time.

A. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin inflammation that may be red, itchy, crusty or blistered. Although topical steroid creams are effective for eczema, chronic use can thin the skin, leading to permanent stretch marks and prominent blood vessels.

Another option might be oolong tea. One study showed that it improved eczema in patients who drank it (Archives of Dermatology, January 2001).

We discuss a number of other approaches to easing eczema in our Guide to Skin Care. They include probiotics, dietary changes, Pycnogenol and CamoCare, as well as high-tech light therapy. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (64 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. S-28, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

2012 King Features Syndicate, Inc.