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.
Allergy Actually
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 Allergy Immunology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. They tackle the pivotal question: **Is immunotherapy worth the commitment for your severe hay fever and allergic asthma?**
Dr. Brooks dives into the modern landscape of allergy treatment and explains why ILIT (Intralymphatic Immunotherapy) is a true game-changer. Hear why *he* chose to be an expert in this field, the powerful success stories of patients being treated with ILIT at an academic center, and how having more options—shots, drops, or ILIT—empowers you to make the best, most convenient decision for your life.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- What is Immunotherapy? A quick refresher on how it works to create tolerance.
- Why Dr. Brooks was convinced to bring ILIT to an academic center like Ohio State.
- The crucial difference between long-term conventional shots (SCIT) and the fast-track 3-injection ILIT protocol.
- The youngest age patients are seeing success with ILIT (and why it could be a protective benefit for kids).
- Powerful patient success stories, including one patient who couldn't tolerate traditional shots but thrived on ILIT.
- Why having **more options** (SCIT, SLIT, ILIT) is the key to personalized, precision medicine.
EPISODE IN A GLANCE
01:12 What is Immunotherapy?
03:00 The Importance of Patient Options (Shots, Drops, ILIT)
06:00 Patient Success Story: Life-Changing Relief After ILIT
08:26 Patient Success Story: Tolerating ILIT After Severe Shot Reactions
08:57 Why ILIT is a "Perfect Fit" for Quick Relief & Busy Lives
10:04 Find an Expert: The Auni ILIT Learning Network
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allergyactually@gmail.com
ABOUT GUEST
DR. CHRISTOPHER BROOKS
Dr. Christopher Brooks is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Allergy Immunology in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is an expert in modern immunotherapy and an active member of the Auni ILIT Learning Network.
ABOUT HOSTS
KARA WADA, MD
Dr. Kara Wada is a quadruple board-certified physician in allergy, immunology, and lifestyle medicine, and founder of the Immune Confident Institute. As a Sjogren’s patient and life coach, she combines modern medicine with lifestyle and mindset practices to help patients harness their body's ability to heal.
Website → https://drkarawada.com/
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karawadamd/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfidentmd
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/KaraWadaMD
Youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@drkarawada
TikTok → http://tiktok.com/@immuneconfidentmd
AMBER PATTERSON, MD
Dr. Amber Patterson is a world-renowned allergy and immunology expert pioneering the future of immunotherapy. As the U.S. ambassador for ILIT™ (a 3-injection allergy shot protocol), she is redefining allergy care through her practice, Auni Allergy®, and the groundbreaking Auni ILIT Learning Network.
Website → https://auniallergy.com/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/auniallergy/
Instagram → http://instagram.com/amber_patterson_md/
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/auniallergy/
Youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@auniallergy
MEAGAN SHEPHERD, MD
Dr. Meagan Shepherd is a board-certified allergist and immunologist with nearly 15 years of experience specializing in advanced immunotherapy. She is known for her practi
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