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In this first of a two-part conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Pistiner, pediatric allergist and Director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education, and Prevention at Mass General for Children, Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Pistiner discusses his work on developing the newly updated criteria for recognizing anaphylaxis in infants and toddlers, breaking down medical terminology into clear, everyday language parents can understand. He explains how reactions can progress from early to advanced anaphylaxis, the importance of giving epinephrine early, and how to recognize the signs even when they don’t look the way we might expect.

Dr. Pistiner has a gift for translating complex medical concepts into practical visuals that help parents see what’s happening, both in their child’s body and in their own decision-making process.

If you’ve ever worried about missing the signs or hesitated to give epinephrine, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to act when it matters most.

Food Allergy Management and Prevention
Support Tool for Infants and Toddlers:
https://famp-it.org/

Creating an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Plan:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Create-an-Allergy-and-Anaphylaxis-Emergency-Plan.aspx?sfns=mo

AAP Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan:
https://publications.aap.org/pediatriccare/resources/17512/AAP-Allergy-and-Anaphylaxis-Emergency-Plan?autologincheck=redirected

Development and Evaluation of Modified Criteria for Infant and Toddler Anaphylaxis:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38777125/

How to Use an Epinephrine Auto Injector:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/How-to-Use-an-Epinephrine-Auto-Injector.aspx

Mass General Food Allergy Buddies Program:
https://www.massgeneral.org/children/food-allergies/food-allergy-community

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com