A woman claims she’s been ‘compelled’ into adopting veganism after experiencing a rare allergy that is becoming more prevalent in the United States.
In recent months, an alarming health condition has been affecting Americans who enjoy meat. This condition has led many to switch to a plant-based lifestyle due to severe itchiness and widespread hives.
Daisy Holstine, hailing from Arkansas and a fan of Whopper burgers, found herself unexpectedly allergic to meat and dairy, a condition she describes as a nightmare.
In a conversation with The New York Post, the 36-year-old shared: “I was waking up with my eyes swollen shut. The hives were all over my body, even on my scalp, my hands, the bottoms of my feet.”
It took weeks for Daisy to unravel the mystery of her illness, which was diagnosed as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), once a rare condition now spreading across the nation.
The increase in cases is linked to the lone star tick, a parasite thriving in warm climates, whose bite can cause a potentially life-threatening allergy to meat and dairy.
These ticks are expanding beyond their usual Southeastern habitat, reaching places like New York and Maine. Experts attribute this to global warming, which extends the ticks’ active season beyond summer.
The Mayo Clinic explains that alpha-gal syndrome leads to allergies ranging from ‘mild to intense’ concerning red meat and dairy, even potentially causing anaphylaxis.
Daisy first noticed a group of red spots on her skin during a December trip to Nashville. Initially dismissing it as ‘Asian glow’ from alcohol, she took an antihistamine, which seemed to resolve the issue.
However, the symptoms returned, and within days, she was experiencing severe hives.
“They were everywhere,” Daisy recounted.
As a remote nurse case manager at United Healthcare, she was cautious about insects and skeptical when a doctor proposed testing for AGS, especially since she hadn’t seen a tick or the characteristic bulls-eye rash.
Despite hearing of the condition, Daisy feared the diagnosis, stating: “I’m a big red meat eater … if I’m going to a restaurant, I’m going to have a steak.”
Dermatologists later diagnosed her with chronic urticaria, leading to ‘desperation’ as she tried antihistamines, immune-suppressing medication, and a potent drug used for cancer and autoimmune diseases, which caused hair loss and lethargy but no relief.
Eventually, ChatGPT suggested the elimination diet, removing gluten and meat, which led to her symptoms disappearing. Medics then confirmed her AGS diagnosis.
“I could have cried getting that diagnosis,” Daisy expressed. “We finally figured out what the heck was going on with me.”
She continued: “As a medical necessity, I went vegan.”
AGS doesn’t cause reactions to every animal product, but Daisy found it simpler to avoid all such products rather than scrutinize labels, even opting for animal-free toothpaste and cosmetics.
“That’s a big deal in Arkansas,” she noted. “If you make that choice to be vegan for life, I think it’s very commendable, because it is not easy.”
Although there is no cure for AGS, Daisy is hopeful about Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT), which involves using needles on pressure points, potentially allowing her to reintroduce meat into her diet.
Daisy concluded: “I want a Whopper so bad, but it’s OK, I’m getting there. I can see the end in sight.”