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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. Meagan Shepherd share their top tricks and treats for navigating the holiday. They cover everything from the life-saving Teal Pumpkin Project to the hidden dangers in different-sized candies that every food allergy parent needs to know about.

Whether you're managing food allergies, asthma triggers from foggy nights and campfires, or eczema flare-ups from costumes, this episode is your ultimate survival guide. Learn how to prepare, what to watch out for, and how to empower your child to have a fantastic and safe Halloween.

EPISODE IN A GLANCE
02:22 The Teal Pumpkin Project: Making Halloween Inclusive
04:29 The Hidden Danger: Why Candy Labels Change with Size
09:03 Managing Asthma & Eczema Triggers on Halloween Night
10:42 Pro Tips: Where to Keep Epinephrine & The "Candy Swap"
14:25 Navigating Classroom Parties & Empowering Your Child

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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.
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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™ Protocol (a 3-injection allergy shot protocol), she is redefining allergy care through her practice, Auni Allergy®, and the groundbreaking Auni® ILIT™ Learning Network.
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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 practical, evidence-based approach and her unique focus on "allergy-conscious living"—designing homes, habits, and lifestyles that improve her patients' quality of life.

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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 two leading cutting-edge treatments for food allergies. They compare OIT (eating tiny, controlled doses of the allergen) with SLIT (placing drops under the tongue) to help you understand these life-altering therapies.

Learn about the different goals of treatment—from achieving "bite safety" against accidental exposure to reintroducing a food completely into the diet. The doctors discuss the pros, cons, risks, time commitment, and what to expect from each approach, giving you the knowledge to have an informed conversation with your allergist.

EPISODE IN A GLANCE
00:45 What is Food Immunotherapy?
01:37 OIT vs. SLIT: The Key Differences
04:00 What's Your Goal? "Bite Safety" vs. Full Reintroduction
06:24 OIT: The "Aggressive" Approach (Higher Risk, Potentially Faster)
06:36 SLIT: The "Gentle" Approach (Lower Risk, Slower Pace)

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allergyactually@gmail.com

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
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
TikTok

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™ Protocol (a 3-injection allergy shot protocol), she is redefining allergy care through her practice, Auni Allergy®, and the groundbreaking Auni® ILIT™ Learning Network.
Website
Instagram
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube

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 practical, evidence-based approach and her unique focus on "allergy-conscious living"—designing homes, habits, and lifestyles that improve her patients' quality of life.

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Facebook

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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 Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – dive deep into the science of "a little dirt." They explore how early life exposure to a diverse range of microbes "trains" our immune system to be less reactive.

Learn about the compelling research comparing Amish communities to modern Western societies, the crucial role of the skin barrier in preventing food allergies, and why the advice to delay introducing allergenic foods was a major misstep. This episode will change the way you think about germs, dirt, and raising healthy, resilient kids.

EPISODE IN A GLANCE
00:28 What is the Hygiene Hypothesis?
02:50 Amish Communities & The "Cleanliness" Link to Allergies
05:01 Practical Parenting: Dishwashers, Pacifiers & Preventing Atopy
06:50 The Skin Barrier's Role in Developing Food Allergies
10:11 How the LEAP Study Revolutionized Food Introduction

WRITE A PODCAST REVIEW

SEND US A SUGGESTION
allergyactually@gmail.com

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
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
TikTok

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
Instagram
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube

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 practical, evidence-based approach and her unique focus on "allergy-conscious living"—designing homes, habits, and lifestyles that improve her patients' quality of life.

Instagram
Facebook