ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – A growing number of people in Central Virginia are being diagnosed with Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a tick-borne allergy that makes eating—or even being near—meat and dairy products dangerous.
After our earlier story on alpha-gal attracted more than 80,000 views and prompted responses from newly diagnosed patients, WDBJ7 spoke with a doctor and patient about a promising therapy called SAAT that is offering hope and changing lives.
Nanci Bell was diagnosed with alpha-gal two years ago after years of unexplained severe hives and allergic reactions. “When we finally figured out that it was when I was eating beef or pork… she ordered blood work, and the next day it came back positive. That was it,” Bell said.
“It was comforting because I thought I was going crazy. I couldn’t understand why I was randomly getting these awful, awful hives that were so itchy,” she added.
After receiving SAAT—Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment—Bell says her life transformed. “It’s been life-changing, definitely. And I know that does sound strange, but take one of your favorite meals out of your diet forever and imagine what that would feel like,” Bell explained.
Remarkably, Bell was able to eat steak just four days after treatment without any allergic reaction. The therapy was administered by Dr. Cheryl Hanly, a chiropractor and owner of Creedmoor Wellness Center in Bracey, Virginia. Dr. Hanly became certified in SAAT after seeing increasing numbers of patients suffering from allergies like alpha-gal.
“This training came at the perfect time because so many people are suffering,” Hanly said.
SAAT involves placing tiny acupuncture needles in the ear. The needles cause no pain and remain in place for several weeks. Each treatment is customized using homeopathic filters to identify the specific allergy in the patient’s body.
“I have a lot of patients who can feel a change in their sinuses as soon as I put the needle in their ear,” Hanly noted.
Beyond alpha-gal, SAAT is also used to help patients with other allergies such as gluten and pollen. While alpha-gal currently has no official cure, SAAT can put the allergy into remission.
“Anything that can change your life so much—I need people to know there is hope,” Hanly emphasized.
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