Allergy Actually
Allergy Actually
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various allergy-related topics, including food allergies, asthma management, coping strategies, and the latest immunotherapy treatments. Episodes offer real-life applications of science, such as understanding hay fever triggers and mental health impacts on allergy care, making complex subjects accessible and actionable.
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.
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 unique and increasingly common food allergy.
They dive into the surprising origin story of Alpha-Gal, explaining how it was discovered and why it's an allergy to a carbohydrate, not a protein, which turned the allergy world on its head. Learn how a tick bite transmits this allergy, why the reactions are dangerously delayed, and the crucial role of co-factors like exercise, alcohol, and high-fat meals. This is an essential guide to understanding, diagnosing, and managing this complex and often misunderstood condition.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
– The surprising origin story of Alpha-Gal Syndrome and its link to a chemotherapy drug.
– How a tick bite *actually* causes a red meat allergy (and to other mammal products).
– Why Alpha-Gal is a delayed reaction, with symptoms appearing 2-6 hours after eating.
– The danger of ”just testing” for Alpha-Gal after a tick bite and the risk of false positives.
EPISODE IN A GLANCE
01:33 The Origin Story: Dr. Platts-Mills & The Cetuximab Connection
03:04 How a Tick Bite Causes Red Meat Allergy
06:12 The Danger of Over-Testing & False Positives
09:24 The ”Histamine Bucket”: Co-Factors That Trigger Reactions
16:26 Management & Living with Alpha-Gal (Liberalizing the Diet)
20:05 Crucial Tick Prevention Tips
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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™ (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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