Allergy Actually
Welcome to Allergy Actually — where real talk meets real science.
We’re your bestie allergist moms—Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd—and we’re here to help you stop sneezing, scratching, and second-guessing your allergy care.
With a combined 40+ years of clinical experience, we break down the science behind allergies into practical, real-life solutions. From pollen to peanuts, asthma to anxiety, we unpack it all with empathy, humor, and honest conversations.
Whether you're a parent navigating a child’s food allergies or someone just trying to breathe easier, you'll find clarity, community, and calm here.
Subscribe for weekly episodes that mix evidence-based medicine, lifestyle tips, and the kind of advice you’d expect from your smartest, kindest mom friend.
Because living well with allergies shouldn’t feel so hard—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Episodes
37 episodes
Why You Have to Wait 30 Minutes After Your Allergy Shot | Episode 35
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 ...
Is It Just a Cold? Understanding Your Child's Symptoms (Allergies vs. Flu vs. Colds) | Episode 34
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?...
Military Eligibility: Why an Old Asthma Inhaler Can Still Disqualify Your Teen | Episode 33
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 affect...
Why Families Travel Across the Country for Allergy Treatment (ILIT™ Protocol) | Episode 32
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...
The MITE on Your Eyelashes Causing Rosacea & Chronic Styes (Demodex Explained) | Episode 31
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...
How to Stop a Runny Nose in the Cold (Allergists’ Ski Survival Guide) | Episode 30
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 mana...
New Year, New Immune System: Why You Should Start Allergy Immunotherapy NOW | Episode 29
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....
The Allergy Mom Survival Kit: What We ACTUALLY Carry in Our Bags | Episode 28
The Allergy Mom Survival Kit: What We ACTUALLY Carry in Our BagsEvery 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 cl...
Is Ozempic Helping Your Allergies & Asthma? (GLP-1 Drugs, Hives & Inflammation Explained) | Episode 27
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?...
Is 5 Years of Allergy Shots Worth It? Pros & Cons of Immunotherapy (ft. Allergist Expert) | Episode 26
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 Alle...
5 Gifts to NEVER Give Someone with Allergies, a Holiday Gift Guide | Episode 25
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 overwhe...
Is a Real or Fake Christmas Tree Better for Allergies? (The Mold & Dust Truth) | Episode 24
Holiday Allergy Hacks: Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees & Handling Dusty DecorIf you love decorating for Christmas but hate the sneezing, wheezing, and itchy eyes that sometimes follow, this episode of Allergy Actually is for you.<...
Thanksgiving Holiday Allergy Hacks: How to Be a Good Guest & Stay Safe (Food, Pets, Perfume) | Episode 23
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 ca...
Overcome the Fear of Swallowing Pills: 3 Simple Tricks for Kids & Adults | Episode 22
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....
How to Stop Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) Attacks: 3 Breathing Exercises
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...
How to Get a Dog Even if You Have Pet Allergies (Allergist's #1 Tip) | Episode 20
The "Hypoallergenic" Dog Myth: An Allergist's Guide to Pet AllergiesYou’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 yo...
Itching & Burning? It Might NOT Be a Yeast Infection (Vaginal Dermatitis Explained) | Episode 19
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 r...
Why Your Allergies Are Suddenly Worse in Your 40s (Perimenopause & Hormones) | Episode 18
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...
Halloween Allergy & Asthma Hacks: An Allergist's Guide for Parents
Halloween Allergy Hacks: A Parent's Guide to a Safe & Fun Spooky SeasonSpooky 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 Hallow...
How Food Immunotherapy (OIT & SLIT) Works to Prevent Allergic Reactions
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-chang...
The Hygiene Hypothesis Explained: How Dirt, Pacifiers & Dishwashers Affect Allergies | Allergy Actually
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 ide...
A Tick Bite Can Make You Allergic to Red Meat? | Alpha-Gal Syndrome Explained by Allergists
Is It A Tummy Ache or A Tick Bite? Understanding Alpha-Gal SyndromeHow 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 yo...
Allergy Shots 2.0: Is ILIT the Future of Allergy Relief?
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 t...
That Nagging Cough Could Be Asthma (Even Without Wheezing) | Cough-Variant Asthma Explained | Allergy Actually
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 an...
How to Use a Nasal Spray CORRECTLY for Allergy Relief (Allergist's Top Tips)
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 rhiniti...
