- • Alpha-gal syndrome follows a tick bite and turns everyday foods into a planning problem — Florida sees plenty of it.
- • SAAT is offered one trigger at a time, and always alongside the care of your allergist or physician.
- • Emergency medication and avoidance stay in place; nothing here replaces them.
Life with alpha-gal in Florida
Alpha-gal syndrome develops after a tick bite and shows up as reactions to mammal-derived foods, often hours after eating. The delay is what makes it so disorienting — the reaction rarely lines up with the meal in your memory.
In a state with year-round outdoor life, patients frequently arrive having pieced the pattern together themselves after months of unexplained flares.
When mast cells are part of the picture
Some patients also live with mast cell activation symptoms: flushing, hives, gut upset, headaches, sudden fatigue, and reactions that seem to shift from week to week.
That variability is exhausting and often dismissed. Whatever we can or can't help with, you'll be listened to properly here.
How SAAT fits in
SAAT places a single very small needle at a point on the ear, chosen for one specific trigger, and leaves it there for several weeks under a small covering.
Because it's one trigger at a time, the first job is deciding what matters most to you — the food that limits eating out, or the exposure that disrupts work.
What we will not do
We won't tell you to stop avoiding your triggers, we won't tell you to set aside emergency medication, and we won't ask you to test a reaction to see what happens.
We also won't promise an outcome. Responses vary, and Dr. Kim would rather tell you that plainly than sell you a result.
What to expect at your visit
Bring your testing results if you have them, along with a list of what you react to and what your allergist or physician has advised. The first visit is largely conversation.
The treatment itself is short. Afterwards you go home with a small covered point on the ear, simple care instructions, and a number to call if anything concerns you.
Coming to us from around the bay
The clinic is in Clearwater at 3001 Executive Drive, easy to reach from Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, Largo, St. Petersburg and Tampa, with parking at the door.
Call 727-490-6060 or use the contact page. Tell us what you react to and how it's affecting your life, and we'll tell you honestly whether this is worth your time.
Frequently asked
Does SAAT cure alpha-gal syndrome?+
No. SAAT is offered as a complement to the care of your allergist or physician, and responses vary between patients. Continue avoiding your triggers and following your medical advice.
Should I keep carrying my emergency medication?+
Yes, always. Nothing about a visit here changes your emergency plan, and you should keep following the instructions your physician has given you.
I react to several foods — where do we start?+
SAAT addresses one trigger at a time, so we start with the one that limits your daily life most, then decide together whether to continue with others.
Do I need a diagnosis before booking?+
It helps a great deal. If you suspect alpha-gal but haven't been tested, see a physician first so you know what you're dealing with before adding anything else.
Related pages at Acupuncture of West Florida
- SAAT for MCAS — More detail for mast cell activation patients
- SAAT allergy treatment — How the single-needle approach works
- Conditions we treat — Everything Dr. Kim works with at the Clearwater clinic
- Get in touch — Tell us your situation and we'll respond honestly
Talk to Dr. Kim
Discuss whether complementary care fits your needs. A request is not a confirmed appointment.
3001 Executive Drive, Suite 150, Clearwater, FL 33762. One Clearwater clinic serving Tampa Bay.
Request a consultation727-490-6060