Is it too early to start planning for school when summer has just begun? Not if your child has food allergies.

Dr. Nikki Chase, a board-certified allergist-immunologist, joins us to share what families need to know to prepare for a safe and successful school year. From school forms and emergency plans to when to self-carry epinephrine and how to teach self-advocacy, this episode is filled with practical, real-life guidance.

We discuss how to make the most of your summer doctor visits, why early planning matters, and how newer epinephrine options, like the nasal spray, may help reduce fear and delay in use. You’ll also hear Dr. Chase’s advice on helping kids build confidence and take ownership of their allergy care.

•  504 plans explained: What they are, how to request one, and why they matter for legal protection and clear school accommodations.
• Anaphylaxis Action Plans: What’s included, how they differ from 504 plans, and why they take the guesswork out of emergencies.
• Epinephrine device options: From auto-injectors to nasal spray, what’s available and how to choose the best fit for your child.
• What to work on this summer to build allergy confidence: The rules, responsibilities, and privileges kids should practice to stay safe and feel more in control.
• Self-advocacy & communication tips: How to help your child speak up, navigate cafeteria dynamics, and respond to food allergy bullying.

• Planning for School with Food Allergies
• School Plans for Students with Food Allergies
• Managing Allergies in Schools: A Guide for Staff
• Epinephrine for Anaphylaxis: What Treatments are Available?
• Food Allergy Treatment & Management

Produced in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network. Thanks to ARS Pharma for sponsoring this episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

Have you ever wondered what happens after an anaphylactic reaction?

How do you process everything that went down, from ingesting the allergen to using epinephrine? In this candid conversation, Kortney sits down with Tamara Hubbard, a licensed clinical professional counselor, to unpack the emotional aftermath of a severe allergic reaction.

Kortney shares her own recent experience of self-administering epinephrine for the first time after over 30 years of living with food allergies. Together, they explore how guilt, self-doubt, and family dynamics can shape recovery and how to move forward without letting fear or shame take over.

• The moment Kortney realized she needed to self-inject epinephrine and why it felt empowering.
• Why it’s common to second-guess yourself during an allergic reaction.
• The unique guilt and blame that can surface after a reaction, even when you did everything right.
• How to handle well-meaning but unhelpful comments from family and friends.
• Tips for processing the event without letting it define your future.

Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor and the founder of the Food Allergy Counselor Directory & Website. She specializes in helping individuals and families navigate the emotional and mental health challenges that come with managing food allergies. Tamara is passionate about empowering people to build confidence and resilience while living safely with food allergies.

Learn more about Tamara’s work at FoodAllergyCounselor.com.

Do patients and their healthcare teams view the impact of indolent systemic mastocytosis on quality of life in the same way?

In this episode of The Itch Review, we unpack key findings from a May 4, 2025, descriptive study from The Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, “Patient and Advanced Practitioner Perspectives on Symptom Burden and Symptom Management in Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis.”

Is there a disconnect between what patients feel and what providers think when it comes to indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM)? A new study suggests yes, revealing a mismatch between how patients and advanced practitioners (APs) perceive disease control and what that means for care. This episode dives into whether research like this could help bridge the gap between patient experience and clinical perspective.

• Understanding ISM: What makes indolent systemic mastocytosis a unique multisystem condition?
• Symptom burden explained: Frequency, severity, duration, distress, and functional interference.
• Patient vs practitioner views: Understanding the most impactful symptoms differs from patient to AP.
• Practical tools: The Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis-Symptom Assessment Form (ISM-SAF) is a validated instrument that can be used to determine symptoms and severity.
• Barriers and solutions: Why tracking symptoms is hard and how clinics can improve coordination.
• AP-focused Toolkit: Resources to help nurse practitioners, PAs, and pharmacists provide patient-centered ISM care.

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The Itch Review, hosted by Dr. Gupta, Kortney, and Dr. Blaiss, explores the latest allergy and immunology studies, breaking down complex research in conversations accessible to clinicians, patients, and caregivers. Each episode provides key insights from journal articles and includes a one-page infographic in the show notes for easy reference.

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This podcast is made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Blueprint Medicines for sponsoring today’s episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.