What is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is an allergic condition triggered by the bite of a Lone Star tick. It causes allergic reactions to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a sugar molecule found in most mammals. Symptoms typically appear 3-6 hours after eating red meat, pork, or lamb, and can range from hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. According to the CDC, over 450,000 Americans may have developed AGS since 2010.

What foods should Alpha-Gal patients avoid?

Alpha-Gal patients must avoid all mammalian meat including beef, pork, lamb, venison, and bison. Many also react to mammalian by-products like gelatin (found in gummy vitamins and gel capsules), dairy products, and ingredients derived from mammals such as lard, tallow, and carrageenan. Safe alternatives include poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), fish, seafood, eggs, and all plant-based foods.

What medications are safe for Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Many medications contain hidden mammalian ingredients. Gel capsules and softgels often contain bovine or porcine gelatin. Safe alternatives include tablets, caplets, liquids, and capsules made with vegetable-based HPMC. Always check inactive ingredients for gelatin, magnesium stearate (usually plant-derived in US), lactose, and stearic acid. VectorShield helps patients identify safe medication alternatives.

What are the 4 sensitivity levels of Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal sensitivity varies by patient: Level 1 (Mild, ~40%) - react only to mammalian meat; Level 2 (Moderate, ~30%) - also react to gelatin products; Level 3 (Significant, ~20%) - also react to dairy products; Level 4 (Severe, ~10%) - react to trace amounts and cross-contamination, sometimes called 'super reactors'. Sensitivity can change over time, especially with additional tick bites.

Can Alpha-Gal Syndrome be cured?

There is currently no cure for Alpha-Gal Syndrome, but many patients see improvement over time if they avoid additional tick bites. Some patients report tolerance returning after 1-5 years of strict avoidance and no new tick exposures. However, a single new tick bite can restart or worsen the condition. Management focuses on strict avoidance of trigger foods and carrying emergency medication like epinephrine.

CDC sourceContent informed by CDC Alpha-Gal Syndrome resourcesView CDC resources

Support

Troubleshooting VectorShield

Step-by-step fixes for the most common issues on iPhone and Apple Watch. Looking for general answers instead? See the FAQ.

Issue 1

Health data is not showing up

VectorShield reads health data through Apple HealthKit. If charts or history look empty, the app usually does not have permission to read from Health.

1Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to Privacy & Security > Health > VectorShield.
2Turn on the data types you want the app to read.
3If VectorShield is not listed, open the app once so iOS registers the permission request, then check again.
4Force-quit and relaunch VectorShield after changing permissions.

Issue 2

Notifications are not arriving

Reminders and follow-ups depend on iOS notification settings, and Focus modes can silence them without any visible error.

1Open Settings > Notifications > VectorShield and confirm Allow Notifications is on.
2Check that your preferred alert styles (Lock Screen, Banners, Sounds) are enabled.
3Review your Focus modes (Settings > Focus). If a Focus is active, add VectorShield to its allowed apps.
4If notifications still do not arrive, toggle Allow Notifications off and back on, then relaunch the app.

Issue 3

Apple Watch is not syncing

The Watch app relies on the paired iPhone. Most sync issues come down to pairing state or the iPhone app not having run recently.

1Confirm your watch is paired and connected (check the Watch app on your iPhone).
2Open VectorShield on your iPhone - the Watch app syncs through the phone, so the iPhone app needs to have been opened recently.
3Make sure VectorShield is installed on the watch (Watch app > Available Apps).
4If sync still lags, restart both devices and open the iPhone app first.

Issue 4

A restaurant is missing or its menu looks outdated

The restaurant database ships inside the app, and updates arrive with app updates from the App Store.

1Update VectorShield in the App Store - database refreshes ship with app updates.
2Menus change; always confirm preparation details with the restaurant directly before ordering.
3Missing a restaurant you rely on? Use the suggest-a-restaurant option in the app and we will queue it for research.

Issue 5

A logged meal is not appearing

Occasionally a freshly logged meal does not show in your history right away, especially after logging from the Watch.

1Pull down to refresh the meal history list.
2Force-quit VectorShield (swipe up and hold, then swipe the app away) and relaunch it.
3If you logged from your Apple Watch, open the iPhone app so the entry can sync over.

Issue 6

Premium features are locked after paying

If you reinstalled the app, switched devices, or your purchase did not register, restoring purchases re-links your subscription.

1Open VectorShield Settings and tap Restore Purchases.
2Make sure you are signed in to the same Apple Account you used to subscribe.
3Check the subscription status under Settings > Apple Account > Subscriptions on your iPhone.
4Remember: emergency medication lookup and the emergency call button are never paywalled - they work regardless of subscription state.

Still stuck?

Report a bug or contact support

If none of the steps above helped, we want to hear about it. Send us a note with your device model, iOS version, and what you expected to happen - it makes fixes much faster.

Use the contact form and choose the support topic.
Or email support@vectorshield.app directly.
Beta testers can also submit feedback through TestFlight.

Go to the contact page

VectorShield is for informational and self-tracking purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you think you are having a severe reaction, use your epinephrine if prescribed and call emergency services.

New to the app?

The quick-start guide walks through setup, meal logging, and medication checks step by step.

Open the app guide Read the FAQ