My Allergist Dad

Hives Explained: Triggers, Stress, and Chronic Urticaria Treatments, Plus Oral Allergy Syndrome Tips

Drew and Dr. Z answer a listener question about a nine-year-old with severe seasonal oral allergy syndrome, explaining cross-reactivity between pollens (often birch) and raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts, how cooking can denature allergens, and how immunotherapy (shots or sublingual drops, sometimes seasonal or year-round) and microbiome-focused habits like reducing processed foods and sugar, managing stress, and considering probiotics may improve tolerance. They then discuss hives (urticaria). Dr. Z covers common non-allergic causes of prolonged hives (viral illness, stress, infections like Lyme, alpha-gal), appropriate evaluation, and stepwise treatment with daily second-generation antihistamines, higher dosing when needed, and biologics such as omalizumab and dupilumab for chronic spontaneous urticaria.00:00 Listener Question: Oral Allergy Syndrome!00:33 What Are Hives?01:02 Show Intro Theme01:33 Listener Question: Oral Allergy Syndrome02:47 Why Symptoms Are Seasonal04:26 Food Prep And Allergy Shots05:47 Microbiome Diet And Stress08:10 Immunotherapy Options11:35 Pivot To Hives Topic12:07 How To Recognize Hives14:06 ER Fear And Stress Cycle17:15 Prague Story & Calming Hives21:04 Is It Really Hives?23:00 Triggers, Tests, And Causes26:20 Chronic Hives Treatment Plan27:46 Biologics: Explained!31:59 Wrap Up And Final Thoughts33:37 Disclaimer And Outro 📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

Food Sensitivity Testing Explained (Inflammation and “Leaky Gut”) | My Allergist Dad

On this episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew and Dr. Z talk with James White, the CEO of KBMO Diagnostics, about where food sensitivity testing fits in for patients with chronic symptoms that don’t show up on standard IgE allergy tests. James explains KBMO’s patented approach that combines IgG exposure markers with innate immune inflammation markers to reduce false positives and narrow results from dozens of foods to a more practical list, contrasting it with hair-based tests that he says are not reproducible. Dr. Z clarifies IgE versus IgG and why food sensitivities can be delayed up to 72 hours, discusses how testing can guide elimination diets for GI symptoms like IBS and sometimes conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis, and shares patient stories of symptom improvement after removing trigger foods. They also cover KBMO’s added gut barrier (“leaky gut”) panel, retesting strategies, and how gluten sensitivity differs from celiac disease.00:00 Inflammation And Food Inputs00:36 Show Intro Theme00:50 Meet James White, CEO of KBMO01:51 Patriots Shirt Story03:24 Where Testing Fits In04:27 How KBMO Tests Work07:50 IgG Vs IgE Explained11:23 Hair Tests And Reproducibility13:52 Gut Barrier Panel Added15:34 Real Patient Success Stories19:28 Who Benefits The Most24:15 FODMAP Vs Inflammation27:15 Hosts' Personal Results29:44 Pets And Food Inflammation32:27 Leaky Gut And Retesting36:49 Celiac Versus Sensitivity40:01 Wrap Up And Takeaways42:13 Outro And Disclaimer📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

Do Pets Get Allergies? A Vet Dermatologist Explains Itchy Dogs, Food Trials & Immunotherapy | My Allergist Dad

On this episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew and Dr. Z are joined by Dr. Tapp, Rhode Island’s only board-certified veterinary dermatologist, to explain allergies in pets—focusing on what pets are allergic to and how it differs from humans. Dr. Tapp describes canine atopic dermatitis as a genetic, skin-barrier–driven condition that commonly shows up as paw licking, face rubbing, ear infections, and itching, with increasing rates linked to indoor living and exposures like dust mites and mold. They discuss typical allergens (pollens, mites, molds), the rare role of contact dermatitis, and that pets can even test positive to human dander. The conversation covers food reactions (often not IgE), the need for an 8-week elimination diet and challenges, occasional anaphylaxis (including storage mites), and treatments such as barrier repair, medicated shampoos, immunotherapy, Cytopoint, and Apoquel.00:00 Dog Allergies Rising00:47 Show Intro Theme01:35 Meet Dr Tapp02:20 Dogs Vs Humans Symptoms03:20 Skin Barrier Breakdown05:46 IgE And Cytokines06:24 Western Lifestyle Effects07:50 Common Dog Allergens09:02 Can Dogs Allergic To Humans10:37 Hypoallergenic Dog Myth13:36 Contact Dermatitis Rare16:50 Diet And Food Allergy19:26 Cats Atopic Syndrome20:47 Barrier Focus Treatments21:37 Ceramides and Staph22:41 Three Drivers of Atopy23:56 Biologics and JAK Inhibitors25:23 Food Allergy Testing Limits28:17 Diet Trials and Avoidance30:10 Toxins vs Food Allergy32:21 Genetics and Breeding Risks34:58 Pet Dander and Cat Allergy37:21 Other Species Allergies40:06 Antihistamines Dont Work41:52 Zoo Dermatology Stories43:49 Wrap Up and Disclaimer📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

Pollen Allergies: Don’t Hide Indoors—Prep Early, Treat the Cause (with Dr. Z) | My Allergist Dad

Drew and his dad, Dr. Z, review the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s tips for reducing seasonal pollen exposure, agreeing they can help but challenging the “avoidance” philosophy that keeps people inside. Dr. Z argues for “treat the cause, defeat the symptom” by improving tolerance through immunotherapy and proactive anti-inflammatory treatment so patients can enjoy spring. He explains the priming effect and early vs late-phase allergic responses, why antihistamines often lead to breakthrough congestion as the season progresses, and why starting nasal steroids (e.g., Flonase, Nasacort, Nasonex, Rhinocort) at least two weeks before a predictable season can blunt worsening symptoms. They discuss timing for preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy (preferably about two months before symptoms) and note medications don’t interfere with desensitization.00:00 Pollen Avoidance Tips00:48 Meet the Allergy Doc02:21 Avoidance vs Tolerance02:57 Treat Cause Not Symptoms05:07 Start Nasal Steroids Early06:43 Priming Effect Explained09:18 Early vs Late Response10:48 Decongestants and the D12:16 Timing Your Allergy Plan13:28 Cat Party Asthma Story17:17 Late Phase Asthma Hit18:06 Preseason Meds Strategy19:09 Sublingual Timing Guide20:35 Allergy Shot Love Story22:48 Pollen vs Dust Mite25:49 Control Not Avoidance28:44 Year Round Allergy Plan30:35 Meds vs Immunotherapy32:24 Wrap Up And Disclaimer📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

Mosquito Bites vs Bee Stings: Histamine, Venom, & Life-Saving Immunotherapy | My Allergist Dad

Drew and his dad, Dr. Z, discuss why some people get severe-looking mosquito bite reactions while others don’t, explaining that mosquitoes don’t have venom and big welts are often due to a heightened histamine response rather than a true allergy. They compare this to stinging insect venom allergies, emphasizing that bee/wasp anaphylaxis can be life-threatening but is highly treatable with venom immunotherapy (allergy shots), which is about 85–90% effective and can prevent reactions even after future stings; Dr. Z notes patients should still carry epinephrine. They cover common stinging insects treated (honeybee, wasp, yellow jacket, and hornets), clarify that snake venom toxicity differs from allergy, and note rare snake-bite anaphylaxis and possible allergic reactions to antivenom, including considerations with alpha-gal. They also mention mosquito attraction factors like blood type, CO2, sweat, and heat.00:00 Creepy Crawlies Intro00:41 Rhode Island Snake Talk02:14 Mosquito Bite Reactions04:14 Bee Allergy Treatment06:37 How Venom Shots Work08:50 Snake Venom vs Antivenom15:15 Fire Ants and Bee Reactions23:05 Why Mosquitoes Pick You25:05 Wrap Up and PSA 📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com