The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology

Starting a biologic can feel intimidating, especially if you are worried it means being on medication forever, or wondering if it will actually replace your inhaler or your next sinus surgery. After this episode, we hope your biggest biologics questions are answered.

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by Dr. Giselle Mosnaim, an allergist and immunologist, to walk through the united airway, what uncontrolled disease really means, and the most common questions patients have before starting a biologic.

What we cover in this episode about biologics for asthma, COPD, and nasal polyps

The united airway. Why the nose and lungs share the same lining, and why the same biologics can treat conditions in both.

What a biologic actually is. How it targets one specific part of the immune system instead of suppressing the whole thing like steroids.

What uncontrolled disease means. Why taking your medication as prescribed does not always mean your asthma, COPD, or nasal polyps are under control.

The goal of starting a biologic. What results to expect, how biologics work alongside your inhaler or nasal spray instead of replacing it, and how they can reduce the need for repeat sinus surgery.

Common myths and fears. Answers to real patient worries about weight gain, needles, side effects, pregnancy, and being on a biologic long term.

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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

Needing oral steroids for your asthma is a signal, not just a setback. It could be a sign that your asthma is not actually under control, even if you feel like you're managing it day to day.

Dr. Wes Sublett joins us to talk about why relying on steroid bursts is a warning sign, not a solution. Dr. Sublett breaks down what actually counts as an asthma exacerbation, the real risks of frequent oral steroid use, and the treatment options available so patients can avoid repeat trips to the ER.

What we cover in this episode about oral steroids and asthma control

Steroid bursts as a warning sign. Needing oral steroids for asthma is a signal your maintenance treatment may not be working.

What actually counts as an exacerbation. Dr. Sublett explains the difference between a flare and a true asthma exacerbation, and why that distinction matters.

The real risks of oral steroids. Repeated courses are linked to bone loss, diabetes, cataracts, and other long-term health risks.

Why your specialist doesn't automatically know. ERs and urgent cares don't notify your asthma specialist when you're treated, so you have to share that history.

Treatment options beyond steroid bursts. Triple therapy and biologics can reduce or eliminate the need for oral steroids for many patients.

More resources

Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) for Asthma, a deeper explainer from Allergy & Asthma Network

What if I Can't Afford My Asthma Medication?

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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

For decades, the rescue inhaler was simple: feel tight, take a puff, breathe easier. But the newest asthma guidelines have changed what's actually recommended inside that inhaler, shifting away from plain albuterol toward a combination inhaler that treats symptoms and inflammation at the same time.

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by Dr. Bill McCann, allergist and CEO of Allergy Partners, to break down why this combo inhaler approach is now preferred, what it actually contains, and why auto-refilling your old rescue inhaler might be working against you.

What we cover in this episode about rescue inhalers

Understanding asthma: the boiling pot analogy. Dr. McCann explains asthma inflammation using a pot of water on the stove, and why a bronchodilator alone never turns down the heat.

Why a combo inhaler is now preferred. The newest guidelines recommend a single inhaler containing both a fast-acting bronchodilator and a low dose of anti-inflammatory steroid.

AIR and MART, explained simply. Two ways doctors are using this combo inhaler: either as-needed only, or as a daily plus as-needed routine.

The myth of "mild" asthma. Why intermittent or infrequent symptoms don't mean you're free from risk.

The auto-refill trap. Why an automatic pharmacy refill on your old rescue inhaler can quietly hide worsening asthma control from your doctor.

More resources

GINA 2026 Strategy Report (official source)

What is asthma?

Listen to the BATURA Trial

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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

Most asthma peak week coverage focuses on kids heading back to school. But adults with asthma are just as much at risk, and often don't realize it until they're already in trouble. 

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by allergist Dr. Ashwin Shankar to talk about why asthma peak week hits adults hard, how normalizing symptoms can quietly put you at risk, and what steps to take before the season catches up with you.

What we cover in this episode about adult asthma peak week

What asthma peak week is, and why fall hits so hard. The third week of September brings the highest asthma-related ER visits and hospitalizations of the year.

Where fall triggers hide. Teachers and school staff face mold in buildings that sat closed all summer, outdoor workers get hit with ragweed and sudden cold mornings, and farm workers stir up mold and dust during harvest.

Why even controlled asthma can slip during peak week. Trigger load stacks up fast this time of year, and a flare during peak week doesn't mean you're doing something wrong.

The adult habit of normalizing symptoms. Skipping hikes, avoiding stairs, or accepting a lingering cough are signs asthma isn't controlled, not just signs of getting older.

How to get ahead of peak week before it hits. Confirm your asthma action plan, track how often you're reaching for your rescue inhaler, and get your flu shot at least two weeks before September ramps up.

Resources

Do You Have an Asthma Action Plan?

A Comprehensive Guide for Asthma Treatments & Medication

10 Ways to Stay Healthy During the September Asthma Peak Week

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca and Amgen for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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

Every September, doctors see a jump in asthma attacks and ER visits. It's called Asthma Peak Week, and it usually hits the third week of September, right when families are settling into their school routines. 

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined again by Liz Elliott, a nurse administrator in school health services for Montgomery County, Maryland, and a returning guest from our food allergy episode. This time, Liz answers the questions parents ask most about asthma at school, from what actually happens during a flare to whether their child's inhaler needs to be with them or in the health room.

What we cover in this episode about Asthma Peak Week from the school nurse perspective

Can my child self-carry their inhaler? The rules on self-carry, and why kindergartners and teenagers are handled differently.

Does the school have stock rescue inhalers (albuterol)? What stock albuterol is, and what happens if your child's own inhaler isn't there yet.

What happens if my child has a flare at school? Learn the protocol that is in place if your child experiences an asthma attack, and what happens for kids who experience their first asthma flare.

Signs of asthma parents might miss that their child's asthma is not under control. Nighttime awakenings and an "asthma cough" can all be early warning signs.

Closing the gap between home and school. Why the plan your provider signs has to match what's sent to school, and what to bring on day one.

More resources

Allergy & Asthma Network: How to Avoid the September Asthma Peak

Allergy & Asthma Network: Asthma Action Plan

Allergy & Asthma Network: Managing Asthma at School

Allergy & Asthma Network: School Resources

Listen: Ep. 135: Food Allergies in School, A School Nurse's Perspective

CDC Asthma School Resources

NASN Asthma CPG and Toolkit

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca and Amgen for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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