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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.
31 Episodes
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Send us a text 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. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – talk about how to achieve an immune system reset that actually lasts. They blend powerful insights on habit formation with a crucial medical strategy: starting immunotherapy during the off-season (win...
Send us a text The Allergy Mom Survival Kit: What We ACTUALLY Carry in Our Bags Every 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 clinic. In this fun and highly practical episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – are unzipping their bags to show you the real essentials they carry every day. They ...
Send us a text 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? In this essential episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – dive deep into the intersection of metabolic and immune medicine. They break down the early data, shar...
Send us a text 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 tre...
Send us a text 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 overwhelming. What is safe? What won't trigger a reaction? In this fun and practical episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – break down what truly works. They share perso...
Send us a text Holiday Allergy Hacks: Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees & Handling Dusty Decor If you love decorating for Christmas but hate the sneezing, wheezing, and itchy eyes that sometimes follow, this episode of Allergy Actually is for you. In this cozy and practical episode, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – break down the biggest allergy triggers hiding in holiday decor. They tackle the age-old debate: Is it better to have a ...
Send us a text 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 can come with a lot of stress. Today, your bestie allergist moms are breaking down simple, real-life hacks on how to navigate the holidays safely and politely. In this practical episode of Allergy Actually, Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, an...
Send us a text 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. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – are holding a pill-swallowing masterclass. They share their personal struggles, pro-tips, and the simple, science-backed techniques that can make taking medication way easier. Learn the #1 trick that...
Send us a text 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 of tools to manage. In this essential "How-To" episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – provide a powerful and practical guide to relaxed throat breathing te...
Send us a text The "Hypoallergenic" Dog Myth: An Allergist's Guide to Pet Allergies You’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 your allergies? In this myth-busting episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – are tackling one of the most common questions they get from patients: "Can I get a dog i...
Send us a text 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 reaction. In this candid and crucial episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – are breaking the silence on a topic that is too often overlooked: vaginal and vul...
Send us a text 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’re not losing it—it’s in your hormones AND your immune system! In this eye-opening episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – are having the conversation no one else...
Send us a text 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 t...
Send us a text 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 o...
Send us a text 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 expos...
Send us a text Is It A Tummy Ache or A Tick Bite? Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome How 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 you ate hours ago? This is the strange reality of Alpha-Gal Syndrome. In this fascinating episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – unravel the mysteries of this uniqu...
Send us a text 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 the root cause? In this game-changing episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms—Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Meagan Shepherd, and U.S. ILIT pioneer Dr. Amber Patterson—dive deep into Intralymphatic Immunotherapy, or ILIT. They explai...
Send us a text 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 and personal episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms get vulnerable, sharing their own real-life stories with asthma. Dr. Kara Wada recounts a dramatic and unexpected asthma attack in the middle of O'Hare airport, and Dr. Meagan S...
Send us a text 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 rhinitis symptoms, but they have to be used correctly to be effective. In this essential "How-To" episode of Allergy Actually, learn the crucial difference between non-addictive nasal steroids and addictive decongestants, discover our allergist...
Send us a text 3 Shots vs. 5 Years? A Patient's Journey with ILIT Allergy Treatment Patient testimonials are a powerful way to understand the real-world impact of a medical treatment. In this special episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms are joined by a very special guest, former U.S. Congressman and radio broadcaster Jason Lewis, to share his personal allergy journey. For decades, Jason battled debilitating seasonal allergies, relying on a daily cocktail of over-the-count...
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