Food Allergies and Shared Decision-Making: What Parents Need to Know

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has revolutionized the way we manage food allergies in children. Join Dr. Alice Hoyt as she interviews Dr. Richard Wasserman, a true pioneer in this groundbreaking treatment. Dr. Wasserman shares his journey on how and why he started offering OIT to patients over 15 years ago. Dr. Hoyt and Dr. Wasserman discuss the history of OIT and its similarities to allergy shots. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration among allergists to make life-changing therapies more accessible worldwide.OIT presents unique challenges across different age groups, and this conversation sheds light on these nuances. With relatable analogies like gym workouts, Dr. Wasserman and I talk through the adjustments necessary to maintain tolerance without overwhelming the patient. From the unique challenges faced by children and teens at different ages to potential family conflicts, this episode offers practical insights for managing food allergies over the long run, helping  both the patient and the patient's family feel supported every step of the way.Dr. Hoyt asks Dr. Wasserman to share his experiences on helping families navigate the myriad challenges that come with OIT, from the impact of illnesses on dosing schedules to the necessity of avoiding certain activities post-dosing. Dr. Wasserman shares his thoughts on the FDA-approved peanut allergy product and shares about his team's efforts to ease the journey of peanut OIT for kids. Concluding on a high note, Drs. Hoyt and Wasserman celebrate the immense relief and joy that OIT brings to many families, many times enabling children to safely consume previously dangerous allergens. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true trailblazer in the field of food allergy management!What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

What is the gold standard in diagnosing an anaphylactic food allergy? It's not a skin test. It's not a blood test. It's an ingestion challenge.In this episode,Dr. Alice Hoyt discusses the critical role of ingestion challenges when it comes to accurately diagnosing IgE-mediated food allergies. By consuming the suspected allergen under the careful supervision of a board-certified allergist, patients can achieve a precise diagnosis, which is pivotal before embarking on treatment plans like oral immunotherapy or long-term avoidance strategies. She shares valuable insights and tips on how to prepare for an ingestion challenge, ensuring a smooth and reassuring process for both patients and families.Dr. Hoyt also explores the life-changing impact ingestion challenges can have, especially for young children and their parents. Drawing from the groundbreaking LEAP study, she stresses the importance of confidently introducing potentially allergenic foods to children, highlighting how, in some cases, ingestion challenges  provide firsthand safety assurance. Additionally, she touches on the complexities of food allergy skin and blood testing and how these tests should not be considered confirmatory for food allergies. Tune in to learn how ingestion challenges empower food allergy families and, in some cases, confirms that a child is no longer allergic to a food.What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Anaphylaxis is a a severe allergic reaction. How allergists manage anaphylaxis and how they advise their patients to manage anaphylaxis can mean the difference between life or death. That medical decision-making needs to be shared and have a foundation of evidence.In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Alice Hoyt discusses the newest updates to the Anaphylaxis Practice Parameters, which were published in late 2023. You'll learn the data on:When and how to best administer epinephrine When you should go to the ERThe likelihood of a severe allergic reaction occurring in babies after their first ingestion of an allergenWhen it may be safe to stay home Don't miss this episode, and bookmark it - you'll want to come back to this one!What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Alice Hoyt, the caring doctor voice behind the Food Allergy and Your Kiddo Show, and the eminent Dr. Dave Stukus, a trailblazer from Nationwide Children's Hospital, unpack the exciting news about Xolair (omalizumab). After two decades of lending a helping hand to asthma sufferers, Xolair is now FDA-approved to combat severe allergic reactions from food allergies. The deep-dive discussion zeros in on how this well-seasoned medication works its magic by cozying up to allergic antibodies, decreasing the fright from accidental food allergen encounters. 🛡️ If you've been dealing with food allergies, lend us your ears as top allergists discuss who might benefit from Xolair. 🎧💕Episode Highlights:Take a brief stroll down memory lane to hear Xolair's past.Consider how Xolair may add a layer of protection for your little one.Review the safety profile that makes Xolair a relatively safe option.Guest Expertise:Dr. Alice Hoyt, your go-to allergist and familiar voice on the podcast, chats with Dr. Dave Stukus, known for his heartfelt commitment to helping food allergy families at the renowned Nationwide Children's Hospital.Share This Episode:Got a friend or loved one who's constantly on their toes because of food allergies? Share this episode with them—it just might be the information they've been waiting for! 📢What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Have you ever posted a food allergy question on social? Don't miss this episode in which Pam poses real food allergy questions from social media to Dr. Hoyt!What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Take a deep dive into the world of oral immunotherapy with Dr. Alice Hoyt, a trusted board-certified allergist and mother, and Pam Lestage, a devoted mom navigating food allergies. They break down the essentials of OIT — from understanding what it is to exploring the risks and benefits. Whether you're an OIT skeptic or enthusiastic supporter, this episode promises insights that will deepen your understanding and enhance your decision-making process.The Science of OITOIT is one method that reprograms the body's immune response, teaching it to be less reactive to a particular food allergen. As in this episode, some immune systems are easier to reprogram than others.Is OIT Right for Your Family?Curious about the boundaries of OIT? Dr. Hoyt shines a light on who often is a good candidate for OIT. From children to adults, the conversation extends beyond simple yes or no to why and how.Risks and BenefitsOIT therapy isn't a casual stroll. OIT takes time, and it can cause mild adverse reaction to severe anaphylactic reactions. That said, OIT can be powerful enough teach the immune system to tolerate a food enough so that a person can be bite-proof or, in some cases, even begin to free-eat the food. Next StepsLearn even more about OIT on foodallergyandyourkiddo.com!What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

With the new year comes the talk of New Year's resolutions. Dr. Hoyt loves goal-setting but not with the traditional "resolution" type of goal-setting. Tune in to this episode to learn Dr. Hoyt's 3-step plan for making effective plans for the New Year and how these simple steps can help you and your kiddo with food allergies.What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Dr. Alice Hoyt interviews Dr. Edwin Kim about his research in sublingual immunotherapy in children with peanut allergies.Guest Dr. Edwin KimDr. Kim is a renowned pediatric allergist and immunologist who has extensive experience in treating children with food allergies. In this episode, he shares his research on sublingual immunotherapy, a method of allergy treatment that is gaining popularity among allergists and parents of children with food allergies.SLITSublingual immunotherapy, also known as "SLIT," is a form of food allergy treatment in which diluted allergen is placed under the tongue daily. The concentration is increased until the patient reaches a maintenance dose. The maintenance dose is continued for years. The goal of SLIT is to desensitize the patient's immune system to specific allergens, reducing the allergic response and decreasing the risk of a severe allergic reaction when he allergen is accidentally ingested.Take-AwaysSLIT is safe for children.SLIT is effective in children.ReferencesDr. Kim's article in JACIWhat's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Food allergy is a complex medical condition, so it's no surprise that navigating life with food allergies can be challenging. Shared decision-making can help.Join Dr. Alice Hoyt as she interviews colleague Dr. Sakina Bajowala on shared decision-making, especially as it pertains to food allergies and immunotherapy.What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

If you have heard of OIT or SLIT (oral immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy, respectively), then you've probably wondered how these therapies treat food allergies and, if they are so great, why isn't everyone doing them? Well, in part, it's due to potential risks, but there are also some other factors to consider.Join Dr. Hoyt as she discusses all this with her colleague Dr. Sakina Bajowala. Dr. Bajowala is a board-certified allergist with specific expertise in the treatment of food allergies. She practices outside of Chicago and helps families navigate the world of food allergy and, in many cases, helps make her patients significantly less allergic to foods. Dr. Bajowala is a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and is incredibly well respected by her colleagues in the OIT space.Note: the doctors mention a couple resources during this episode:https://www.foodallergycounselor.com/https://solidstarts.com/What's your food allergy question? Subscribe to our newsletter to ask your questions!Looking for one-on-one time with a food allergist to finally get your food allergy questions answered? Sign up for Food Allergy Office Hours for Parents!Are you in need of an allergist in your area? AAAAI Allergist FinderACAAI Allergist FinderOIT Allergist FinderWould like to become a patient? Reach out to the Institute!Does your kiddo's school need help with medical emergency response planning? Check out the non-profit Code Ana.This podcast is the official podcast of the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. Information on, within, and associated with this site and Food Allergy and Your Kiddo is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.