Allergy Actually

Send us Fan Mail Do I Really Have to Wait 30 Minutes After My Allergy Shot? (The Life-Saving Reason Why) It's the most common question heard in any allergist's office: "Do I really have to wait 30 minutes after my allergy shot?" We get it—the wait feels long and inconvenient. In this essential episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms pull back the curtain on why...

Send us Fan Mail If your kid seems "always sick," it might not just be a bad immune system—it might be a complex mix of allergies and infections. With overlapping symptoms like cough, congestion, and fatigue, how can parents tell what's really going on? In this essential episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shep...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that having a history of an Albuterol inhaler prescription—even if you outgrew your asthma—can automatically disqualify a potential military recruit years later? Many parents are blindsided when their child's medical history affects their military or flight school eligibility. In this crucial episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms dive into this...

Send us Fan Mail Plastic surgery tourism is everywhere, but we are seeing a different trend: medical tourism for allergies. Moms are flying across the country—and even internationally—so their kids and family members can finally breathe, sleep, and live without constant allergy medication. In this powerful episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms dive into the logistics and motivati...

Send us Fan Mail When we say "mites," you probably think of dust mites. But there’s another microscopic critter living on your skin—specifically, in your eyelash follicles—that could be causing your chronic eye issues, styes, blepharitis, and even rosacea. Meet the Demodex mite. In this eye-opening (and slightly gross!) episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara W...

Send us Fan Mail Does your family love skiing, but your kid (or you!) turns into a "snot fountain" on day one? You're not alone! That constant drip in the cold isn't always allergies—it's often a condition called non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis, and it's manageable. In this essential "How-To" episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Ka...

Send us Fan Mail It's a brand new year, which means fresh calendars, fresh intentions... and the same old allergies waiting for their spring comeback. But not this year! In this episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – talk about how to achieve an immune system reset that actually lasts. They blend powerful insight...

Send us Fan Mail The Allergy Mom Survival Kit: What We ACTUALLY Carry in Our Bags Every mom has her go-to bag of tricks, but allergy moms take it to a whole new level! From EpiPens to safe snacks, wet wipes to inhalers, our bags practically run a mini clinic. In this fun and highly practical episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meaga...

Send us Fan Mail GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) are everywhere, but the conversation is shifting from just weight loss to their powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Are these drugs helping with asthma, chronic hives, and allergic inflammation? In this essential episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – dive...

Send us Fan Mail Love the idea of allergy shots but don't have 3-5 years to commit to weekly appointments? In this essential episode, your bestie allergist moms are joined by esteemed colleague Dr. Christopher Brooks, Assistant Clinical Professor of Allergy Immunology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. They tackle the pivotal question: Is immunotherapy worth the commitment fo...

Send us Fan Mail Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts That Feel Good (Allergy & Sensitivity Friendly) If you’ve ever tried to find the perfect holiday gift for someone with food allergies, asthma, eczema, or fragrance sensitivities, you know it can feel overwhelming. What is safe? What won't trigger a reaction? In this fun and practical episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. K...

Send us Fan Mail Holiday Allergy Hacks: Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees & Handling Dusty Decor If you love decorating for Christmas but hate the sneezing, wheezing, and itchy eyes that sometimes follow, this episode of Allergy Actually is for you. In this cozy and practical episode, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – break down the biggest...

Send us Fan Mail Thanksgiving Allergy Hacks: How to Be a Great Guest (Without Feeling Like a Burden) Thanksgiving and holiday get-togethers are supposed to be fun, but when you have food allergies, asthma, or environmental sensitivities, being a guest can come with a lot of stress. Today, your bestie allergist moms are breaking down simple, real-life hacks on how to navigate the holidays safely an...

Send us Fan Mail Do you or your child dread swallowing pills? You are not alone! Up to 40% of people struggle with it, but it's a skill you can learn. In this essential "How-To" episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – are holding a pill-swallowing masterclass. They share their personal struggles, pro-tip...

Send us Fan Mail If you've ever struggled with a sudden, scary episode of difficulty breathing that feels like your throat is closing up, you might be experiencing Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD). Often confused with asthma, VCD requires a completely different set of tools to manage. In this essential "How-To" episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr....

Send us Fan Mail The "Hypoallergenic" Dog Myth: An Allergist's Guide to Pet Allergies You’ve heard the term "hypoallergenic dog," but is there really such a thing? Can choosing a dog with hair instead of fur, or one that doesn't shed, actually prevent your allergies? In this myth-busting episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Ambe...

Send us Fan Mail If you've ever dealt with itching, burning, or irritation in your most sensitive areas and been repeatedly told it must be a yeast infection or BV, you are not alone. For many women, the real culprit isn't an infection at all—it's an allergic reaction. In this candid and crucial episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patte...

Send us Fan Mail Did Your Allergies Come Back in Your 40s? It Might Be Your Hormones. Did your allergies suddenly get worse (or appear out of nowhere) in your 30s or 40s? Do your allergy or asthma symptoms seem to flare at certain times of the month? You’re not losing it—it’s in your hormones AND your immune system! In this eye-opening episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr....

Send us Fan Mail Halloween Allergy Hacks: A Parent's Guide to a Safe & Fun Spooky Season Spooky season should be fun, not frightening because of allergies! From candy swaps to costume hacks, your bestie allergist moms are here to help you make Halloween safe, inclusive, and stress-free. In this fun and practical episode of Allergy Actually, Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meag...

Send us Fan Mail You've heard about peanut immunotherapy, but what is food immunotherapy, actually? How do treatments like Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) and Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) work, and which one might be right for your family? In this game-changing episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – break down the tw...

Send us Fan Mail The Hygiene Hypothesis: Could Being "Too Clean" Cause Allergies? Could hand sanitizer, spotless homes, and a fear of germs actually be contributing to the rise in allergies, asthma, and eczema? It's a fascinating and counterintuitive idea known as the Hygiene Hypothesis. In this episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patte...

Send us Fan Mail Is It A Tummy Ache or A Tick Bite? Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome How can a tiny tick bite make you allergic to your favorite steak or burger? What if your unexplained tummy aches are actually a delayed allergic reaction to the meal you ate hours ago? This is the strange reality of Alpha-Gal Syndrome. In this fascinating episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms –...

Send us Fan Mail Love the idea of allergy shots but don't have 3-5 years to commit to weekly appointments? Tired of the struggle to adhere to daily allergy drops? What if there was a faster, more convenient, and highly effective way to treat your allergies at the root cause? In this game-changing episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms—Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Meagan Shepherd, and U...

Send us Fan Mail Do your allergies sometimes make it hard to breathe? Do you find yourself coughing or wheezing when pollen counts are high? The connection between allergies and asthma is real and significant, but often misunderstood. In this powerful and personal episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms get vulnerable, sharing their own real-life stories with asthma. Dr. Kara Wada...

Send us Fan Mail Are you using nasal sprays for your allergies but not getting the relief you expected? You might be making one of the common mistakes we see as allergists all the time. Nasal sprays are the #1, first-line treatment for managing allergic rhinitis symptoms, but they have to be used correctly to be effective. In this essential "How-To" episode of Allergy Actually, learn the...