Air quality and climate change’s impact on asthma and allergies
A podcast bringing you easily digestible information on all things allergies, asthma eczema, and immunology
Episodes
Monday Aug 02, 2021
Monday Aug 02, 2021
Oral Immunotherapy, OIT, has been on a lot of food allergy minds lately, especially with the FDA approval of PALFORZIA (the peanut pill).
Dr. G and Kortney talk with Dr. Gharfeh is a double board-certified pediatric trained allergist/immunologist practicing in Oklahoma City. She has first-hand knowledge when it comes to OIT as she practices in clinic and has recently undergone OIT with her daughter.
What we cover in this episode on Oral Immunotherapy
- The types of immunotherapy including OIT, SLIT, and epicutaneous.
- The current research and status of OIT for the different allergens.
- The status of peanut for OIT.
- Unpack the advantages and disadvantages of Palforzia, the FDA-approved peanut pill.
- Outline the process of OIT at the allergist office.
- What happens is if you react during OIT.
- How allergists ensure the protein in the doses are used for OIT.
- The pros and cons of doing oral immunotherapy as a patient and as a family such as the time commitment and risks of OIT.
- The reason why OIT is mostly targeted to under 18s.
- The side effects of OIT.
- Risk of developing EOE during OIT.
- Current unknown of OIT - will the desensitization last? How long will the patient need to take the maintenance dose?
- What should a patient think about when considering OIT
- How many foods you can do at a time with OIT
- Dr Gharfeh shares her personal experience doing OIT with her daughter
Additional resources on Oral Immunotherapy
- Palforza: https://www.palforzia.com/
- Dr. Wasserman, the protocol Dr. Garfeh and her colleagues follow: https://www.allergypartners.com/northtexas/doctors/?providerid=796
- Dr. Maya N. Gharfeh's bio: https://oklahomaallergy.com/team/maya-gharfeh/
- Dr. Garfeh on Instagram @allergistmama and Twitter @Maya Gharfeh MD
How to claim CME credits from this episode: https://www.adaptrack.com/welcome/the-itch-podcast
Monday Jun 28, 2021
Monday Jun 28, 2021
A bonus episode that digs into the possibility of being allergic to semen. We talk with Dr. Wright about human seminal plasma allergy (Hypersensitivity) - what is it and how common is it. Of course, you can't talk about intercourse without talking about kissing, so we also chat about how to safely kiss after your partner has consumed a food allergen.
What we cover in the episode
- Can you be allergic to semen?
- Can a food allergen be found in semen as it can in saliva?
- What is the likelihood you could have a reaction via intercourse due to your partner eating an allergen?
- What can you do if you have an allergy to semen?
- How to test whether your allergy was from semen or something else?
- What about kissing your partner if they have consumed a food allergen?
More helpful resources:
- Kissing, Sex and Food Allergies - how to talk to your partner about your allergy and getting intimate. https://thezestfull.com/kissing-sex-food-allergies/
- Getting intimate with eczema https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/intimacy-and-allergies
- Episode with Amanda and Dan about dating and alcohol when you have food allergies. https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-24
Intimacy for people with latex allergies (later in the post) https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/intimacy-and-allergies
Thursday Jun 03, 2021
Thursday Jun 03, 2021
Time to tackle some common food allergy myths and listener questions.
Dr. Wright, a board-certified allergist and Medical Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific, joins Dr. G and Kortney to bust common misconceptions that circulate around food allergies as well as answer your questions.
What we cover in this episode:
- The difference between food allergy and food intolerance.
- How an allergist diagnoses a food intolerance.
- What medication exists for people with intolerances and how they work.
- How likely is it for your second child to develop a food allergy if their sibling does.
- Should you get your child tested for an allergy before introducing an allergenic food?
- If your child has eczema will they develop a food allergy?
- If you are allergic to peanuts will you also be allergic to legumes?
- If taking a food out of your diet will lead you to become sensitized to it and potentially develop an allergy to it?
- Is it true that when your allergen appears on a may contain label, you have to 100% avoid eating it?
- When it is appropriate to use Benadryl for an allergic reaction.
- The importance of epinephrine auto-injectors.
- Why you should not become complacent about having “little reactions”.
- Can antihistamines mask anaphylaxis?
- Will throwing up the food with an allergen in it lessen your chances of having a reaction?
- Could you have an allergic reaction if you did not swallow the food with your allergen in it?
This episode was sponsored by Allergy Insider.
Additional Resources:
Allergy Insider
- Allergy Insider: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/allergy.html?cid=0so_3pc_01062021_L5HBXE
- Follow @allergyinsider on Instagram for more information on allergies: https://www.instagram.com/allergyinsider/
- Follow Allergy Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllergyInsiderUS/
- Follow Dr. Wright on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.wright_allergist/
More information about:
- Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/blog/food-allergy-vs-food-intolerance-blog.html?redirect=false&cid=0so_3pc_01062021_L5HBXE
- How to read a label: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/blog/how-to-read-a-food-label.html?redirect=false&cid=0so_3pc_01062021_L5HBXE
- How to Prepare for a Food Allergy Emergency: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-food-allergy-emergency.html?redirect=false&cid=0so_3pc_01062021_L5HBXE
Relevant The Itch Episodes:
- Ep. 22: Food Allergy Myth Busting - https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-22
- Ep. 42: What are cross-reactive allergens? - https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/cross-reactive-allergens
- Ep. 2: The science behind an allergic reaction - https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-2
Thursday May 27, 2021
Thursday May 27, 2021
Do certain foods make your mouth itchy? We may have the reason why!
In this episode, Dr. G and Kortney are joined by Dr. Wright, a board-certified allergist and Medical Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific, as they demystify cross-reactivity in food allergies.
What we cover in this episode:
- What is cross-reactivity? Cross-reactivity with pollen versus cross-reactivity between IgE mediated allergens.
- What is oral allergy syndrome (OAS), and why do allergists prefer pollen food allergy syndrome?
- The difference between OAS and true food allergies causing anaphylaxis.
- How do you know it is an allergy due to pollen cross-reactivity (OAS)?
- What are the symptoms of OAS?
- How is oral allergy syndrome diagnosed?
- Can you have anaphylaxis to foods that OAS causes?
- Are there some fruits and vegetable varieties that are better for people to eat who have OAS?
- When do people start to develop OAS?
- Who would typically develop OAS?
- The cross-reactive pollens and their cross-reactive foods.
- The types of tests available for testing cross-reactive allergens: skin prick, blood test and component testing.
- How to determine if a food is an allergen due to pollen cross-reactivity or IgE mediated.
- Why would you consider getting component testing?
- How component testing can help determine if you can tolerate baked eggs and baked milk.
- How to determine if you are a candidate for an oral challenge.
This episode is sponsored by Allergy Insider.
Additional Resources:
Allergy Insider
- Follow @allergyinsider on Instagram for more information on allergies: https://www.instagram.com/allergyinsider/
- Follow Allergy Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllergyInsiderUS/
- Allergy Insider’s #ThatKid Campaign: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/that-kid.html
- Follow Dr. Kia Wright on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.wright_allergist/
More information about:
- Understanding allergy cross-reactivity: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/understanding-allergies/cross-reactivity.html
- Component testing: In the US, component testing available: Milk, egg, peanuts, some tree nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashew)
- More information about allergy testing: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/testing-for-allergy-triggers.html
Relevant The Itch Episodes:
- Ep. 34: What are allergies of the eyes and nose (environmental allergies): https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-34
- Ep. 35: How to treat environmental allergies (allergies of the eyes and nose): https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-35
- Ep. 5: The types of food allergy testing & why they can be so hard to interpret: https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-5
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
The quality of our environment has a direct impact on our health. As temperatures rise, pollen seasons grow longer and pollution worsens due to warmer air, which helps to form ground-level ozone, sometimes called smog.
Kenneth Mendez, President & CEO, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), joins us to discuss air quality and climate change’s impact on asthma and allergies. We discuss all the factors that can impact air quality and how this impacts our health, focusing mainly on asthma and seasonal allergies. Kenneth also shares more information about the Allergy Capital Report put out annually by AAFA.
What we cover in this episode:
-
Impact of climate change and air pollution for seasonal allergies and asthma.
-
What are seasonal allergies?
-
Air quality:
-
Why people with environmental allergies and asthma should pay attention to it
-
Air quality index
-
Indoor air quality should not be ignored.
-
-
Climate change:
-
Warmer temperature’s impact pollen
-
Earlier pollen season, frost comes later
-
-
Covid-19 and asthma:
-
The outcomes are not worse
-
How to differentiate if it is Covid-19 or seasonal allergies (Hay Fever does not mean fever is a symptom)
-
-
Why talking to your doctor and getting your asthma under control is so important for your health
-
What mask-wearing can signal about your asthma
-
Signs of uncontrolled asthma
-
Allergy Capitals Report and Asthma Capitals Report made by AAFA
-
What are they measuring and why is this important?
-
Cities/urban environments are a good place to look at what the impacts of climate change will look like in the future for individuals with asthma and allergies
-
-
How to minimize your allergy symptoms
Additional resources:
-
AAFA Online community: aafa.org/join
-
AAFA’s 2021 Allergy Capitals™ report: allergycapitals.com
-
SYMPTOMS CHART: IS IT COVID-19, THE FLU, A COLD, ALLERGIES OR ASTHMA?
Follow AAFA:
-
Facebook: @AAFANational
-
Instagram: @aafanational
-
Twitter: @AAFANational
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Dr. G and Kortney chat with Dr. Manisha Relan about how food allergies are portrayed in the media both the bad and good sides. They briefly talk about the medical side of anaphylaxis before diving head first into breaking down some famous food allergy scenes.
Dr. Manisha Relan is a pediatric allergist and clinical immunologist at a private practice in central New York, where she sees both children and adults for all things allergy. She loves learning and teaching. During fellowship, she was in charge of anaphylaxis training via a simulation lab experience; in her practice she is passionate about women’s health, food allergies, rhinitis, and immunotherapy. She maintains a personal professional Instagram account @pedsallergymd where you can follow her for more.
What we cover in this episode:
The 3 definitions of anaphylaxis.
How movies and TV shows help patients describe their allergic reactions.
How allergists use movies and TV shows to help understand what their patients have experienced.
Why media should ensure they are properly portraying food allergies.
The negative impacts of media using food allergies as a joke. How does this directly impact the food allergy community?
The misinformation being portrayed by the media when showing an allergic reaction.
Beyond humour, the other focus in media is harming people who have food allergies. How does this bullying impact people managing allergies?
Should kids sit at an allergy table?
What shows are doing it right?
The scenes discussed in this podcast episode:
Adults Reacting
Friends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub3sE1ww6ac
- Allergy: kiwi.
- Ross is allergic to lobster, peanuts, kiwi. He eats a kiwi-lime pie thinking it was key-lime.
- Symptoms: throat/tongue swelling
- Treatment: goes to hospital
Hitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdDPoFcBZEY
- Allergy: seafood.
- Symptoms: throat feels itchy (trying to scratch the throat), swelling.
- Treatment: Running to a pharmacy, buying Benadryl is not an accurate way to treat it.
Monster-in-Law: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHpyl6uVPrw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8XC_Zee8XA
- Allergy: almonds.
- Symptoms: tongue swelling and lips.
- Treatment: not shown
Peter Rabbit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VwWPnHZMrs
- Allergy: blackberry
- Symptoms: not really shown
- Treatment: Has epipen on him, no hesitation to use it.
Kids/Teens Reacting
Daniel Tiger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysEk_aLvGYg
- Allergy: peach
- Symptoms: itchy, hives - red bumps, tummy ache
- Treatment: liquid medication
Arthur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ5JB7z7nOk
- Allergy: peanut
- Symptoms: itchy
- Treatment: adrenaline pen
Freaks and Geeks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE65VbUBGbI
- Allergy: peanut
- Symptoms: we just see him on a stretcher with an oxygen mask, coma
- Treatment: called ambulance
Additional resources:
- List of other scenes portraying allergic reactions from Everyday Allergen-Free
- Opper, C. E. (2015). Food Allergy Framing in Entertainment Media: The Use of Humor and Its Influence on Health Thoughts and Behavior [Senior Honors Thesis, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]. Carolina Digital Repository.
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Urticaria, also known as hives can be triggered by many things. From the heat to water, to the spontaneous hive, these can be a burden for many patients. Knowing what triggers urticaria can help manage hives and lessen their impact on the quality of life. Hives may feel mysterious, but they don’t have to be.
Today Dr Patel, a double board-certified Allergist/Immunologist, joins us to discuss the causes of urticaria, how urticaria is diagnosed and how it is treated.
What we cover:
- What is urticaria, more commonly known as hives.
- What does urticaria look like? How do you know they are hives?
- Who typically gets urticaria?
- What are the causes of urticaria?
- What is a rash? A hive is a kind of rash.
- Chronic versus acute hives.
- Types of urticaria:
- Idiopathic urticaria (spontaneous urticaria)
- Physical urticarias:
- Dermatographic
- Pressure urticaria
- Vibration urticaria
- Aquagenic urticaria
- Cholinergic urticaria (exercise)
- Cold urticaria
- Heat urticaria
- Solar urticaria
- How stress impacts hives and allergic responses.
- How is urticaria diagnosed?
- Why you want to see an allergist about urticaria.
- Ways to treat urticaria: Antihistamines, Xolair (omalizumab), Immunosuppressants, Topic medication, Oral steroids
- Are urticaria and eczema linked?
- Impact of having hives on daily life.
Useful Links: The two meditation apps Kortney highly recommends are Insight Timer and Waking Up.
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
Dr. Lacey Robinson joins Kortney and Dr. G to discuss where we are at with understanding allergic reactions to the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).
Dr. Robinson outlines the current theories on what may be causing these allergic reactions, who should get an allergy test before having the vaccine, and what the other symptoms that could appear like an allergic reaction to the vaccine are.
Important note about this episode, as things are changing rapidly in what we know about the COVID-19 vaccines:
- This episode was recorded on January 21, 2021, released January 26, 2021
- Discussions about the COVID-19 vaccines refer to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and Moderna vaccine, both mRNA vaccines.
What we cover in this episode:
- How common are vaccine allergies?
- Stat: 1.31 cases of reactions per 1 million doses given.
- The CDC reviewed the Pfizer vaccine given in December 2020. They found 21 cases of confirmed anaphylaxis in 1.89 million does, which is 11.1 cases per 1 million does. Only 7 of the 21 had a history of anaphylaxis.
- What are the symptoms that can be mistaken for an allergic reaction when receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
- What studies are in the pipeline to look at allergy to the COVID-19 vaccines, specifically mRNA vaccines.
- Types of anaphylactic reaction:
- IgE medicated reaction
- Non-IgE mediated: Mast cell activation or compliment mediated anaphylaxis
- Some symptoms that you can expect when getting the COVID-19 Vaccine:
- Large local reaction
- Tired
- Muscles aches and pains
- Headaches
- Fever
- Timing of an allergic reaction (true allergy) versus other typical symptoms coming from the vaccine.
- What they suspect are the reasons that people are having an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine
- Note mRNA vaccines do not contain any food allergies.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is the suspected allergen. PEG is a common ingredient in many medical products. A very rare allergy 4 cases per year.
- Could you be reacting to the mRNA that you are making from the vaccine?
- Who should consider getting an allergy test for the COVID-19 vaccine.
- How are people being treated if they are having an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine?
- If you had a reaction to the vaccine or you have a PEG allergy, what are the steps involved in evaluating if you can get the COVID-19 vaccine.
- How allergist test PEG allergy.
- What is the likelihood of a false negative test result?
Resources:
-
Allergic Living article Kortney quotes: https://www.allergicliving.com/2021/01/03/likely-more-than-one-cause-for-covid-19-vaccine-reactions/
- Our episode about understanding the COVID-19 Vaccines: https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-37
Thursday Jan 21, 2021
Thursday Jan 21, 2021
A mini popup episode for you!
MILK versus MYLK, what's the deal?
Amanda from the blog Everyday Allergen-Free joined Kortney to explore what spelling milk with an 'I' versus milk with a 'Y' means and how it can impact someone’s experience with that food.
This lead to a discussion about feeling left out when you have food allergies and whether getting an allergy-safe version of a classic food makes you feel included or different.
What we cover:
- Inclusive language for those with food allergies.
- When did the alternative spelling of MYLK show up?
- How does speaking milk with a y help or hinder those with a dairy allergy?
- Feeling left out/longing for what you can’t have, especially when you have food allergens in the house.
- Does an allergy-safe version of a food make you feel included or different?
- What terms can you use to talk about allergy-safe food replacements.
- The attitude to have when trying to recreate foods that contain an allergen.
- What does the ‘real’ version of a recipe mean for an allergy person?
- The different trends in plant based milk.
Helpful links:
- More about the language we use when talking about food allergies
- Oatmilk recipe from Amanda's blog Everyday Allergen-Free
- Our Instagram, @theitchpodcast, tell us how you think we should spell plant based milk
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
Dr Purvi Parikh joins us to talk about the two available Covid-19 vaccines currently available. Dr Parikh and Dr G discuss the nitty-gritty of the two mRNA vaccines, the allergic reactions associated with them and more.
What we cover in this episode
-
Understanding herd immunity.
-
What are mRNA vaccines, how do they work and when did they first get developed.
-
Can people with food allergies get the Covid-19 Vaccine?
-
Could you be allergic to the protein that the mRNA is producing?
-
The side effects of the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine.
-
Why you should get the Covid-19 Vaccine.
-
Why the vaccine is in two does.
-
Differences and similarities with data for Moderna and Pfizer/Biotech vaccines.
-
What does the vaccine rollout look like?
- What are the other vaccines being developed?
-
Why are people skeptical about vaccines?
-
Can pregnant and lactating women get vaccinated?
-
You can get the flu vaccine with an egg allergy.
Resources:
-
Article from Allergic Living about soy in PEG: https://www.allergicliving.com/2020/12/16/faq-on-allergy-concerns-and-the-mrna-covid-19-vaccine/